Over the past decade, immigrants and tourists alike have thrown themselves at Ireland with an enthusiasm not seen since Henry II invaded in 1171. The country's revenues from tourists have more than doubled during those 10 years, according to Fâilte Ireland, the national tourism authority. The verve of this growth tracks Ireland's economy, which has bubbled relentlessly for the past 15 years and transformed the country from a quaint European side trip to a pulsing destination with stylish hotels, irresistible corporate tax rates and a workforce overflowing with education and charm.
"The amenities, decor and standards are much higher now," says Dermot Buckley, managing director of DB Chauffeur Services Ireland, which specializes in private customized tours in luxury vehicles. While this improvement in quality and a strong economy have brought regular increases in costs, now is the best time to visit in years, because many think those hikes may be at an end. "Hotel prices have stabilized at last," says Buckley, "and we're keeping our prices the same this year."
A visit to Ireland used to mean just a trip to Dublin, the capital and by far the largest city, even though the island's true splendor has always flourished well beyond the pale. But with modern conveniences having filtered out of the city to hotels throughout the countryside, one can now enjoy the terrible beauty of Yeats' poetry in stylish comfort. "Over the last two years," Buckley says, "seventy percent of our business has come in and out through Shannon Airport," on Ireland's southwest coast, far from Dublin.
See our slideshow of authentic Irish experiences.
To compile a list of 10 authentic experiences that span the entire country -- Dublin and beyond -- we consulted several experts on Irish tourism, from bespoke tour operators to the managers of Ireland's most exclusive destinations. We sought experiences that exemplify Ireland's unique combination of wild beauty, tumultuous history and lyrical culture, which can be enjoyed nowhere else in the world. At the very top of the list are golf at the Old Head Golf Links, a night at Dromoland Castle and afternoon tea at the Shelbourne Hotel.
A round of golf at the Old Head Golf Links is the best way to appreciate dramatic Irish scenery while enjoying a healthy constitutional. Rudy Giuliani, Wayne Huizenga and the King of Malaysia are among those who have paid the $50,000 membership fee, and Tiger Woods has used these links to tune up for the British Open. With the course's proximity to Shannon Airport, "it is feasible to leave Boston after work on a Thursday and be at the first tee by 7 a.m. the next morning," says Lhara O'Connor, the club's assistant general manager.
Castles aren't for fusty docent tours anymore. To learn more about Irish history while living like a noble, we suggest you book a stay at Dromoland Castle in County Clare. Guests can hunt or fish like proper gentry on the baronial castle grounds, or simply stroll the woodlands. When President Bush visited Ireland in 2004, he chose a suite at Dromoland for his accommodations.
And no trip to Ireland would be complete without an opportunity to savor its famous beverages. Whiskey and Guinness are always popular choices, but a less obvious option is tea, which Ireland drinks more of per capita than any other country in the world. Enjoy the restoring liquor in the opulent surroundings of Dublin's Shelbourne Hotel, which will soon be emerging from a major renovation.