Ireland. The Emerald Isle. The land of Saints and Scholars.

I had the opportunity to visit this majestic country almost one year ago. I had just graduated from college and I had no idea what I was supposed to do next. Throughout the weeks leading up to graduation, I remember lying down night after night, gazing up at the large map on my apartment wall. It was carefully pinned with all of the places that I dreamt of visiting someday. I didn't know what waited for me after graduation, but I knew one thing to be true. I wanted to go. Anywhere and everywhere.

So Ireland. I had my expectations, all of which were quickly exceeded. Below are just a few reasons why Ireland should move to the top of your bucket list.

1. Landscape

Think lush, rolling green hills for miles and dramatic coastal cliff sides and you've got a pretty good picture. From the heather covered Wicklow Mountains to the jaw dropping and eerie Cliffs of Moher, we were constantly in awe of the Irish countryside. Take a drive up the Wild Atlantic Way, and you will be convinced that there is nothing else quite like it.

2. Castles

Big castles. Small castles. Old castles. Literally, castles everywhere. Take the train from Dublin to Malahide for a visit to Malahide Castle. It's filled with a piece of Ireland's history and its obscurity will leave you fascinated. Plus, you get your feel for antique furniture and drawbridges. It's absolutely beautiful both inside and out.

3. Tradition and Folklore

Neither my mom nor myself would consider ourselves drinkers by any means. So it left our friends back home baffled when we told them we spent most of our evenings in Ireland tucked away in a pub. And not at all for a pint of Guinness. We were simply captivated by the Irish music and the traditional dancing. It turned out to be a great place to hear some stories as well. The Irish take tremendous pride in telling the tales of their beloved country.

4. The People

It could have something to do with their liking for a pint of guinness at any hour of the day, but the Irish were the most genuinely kind and seemingly happy people I have ever met. We were greeted with smiles and a quick "top o' the mornin' to ya" from almost everyone we met. It's easy to see the love that they have for their country. It's so evident in the way that they tell their stories. They speak of their history as if they still have something to prove to the world. The people we encountered were truly inspiring.

5. The Food

Eat your weight in fish and chips. Never, ever pass up on the traditional Irish breakfast. Ever.

6. Dublin

The capital city of Dublin was incredible. It is a walkable city with no shortage of things to do. After having just spent a few days in London, Dublin was a breath of fresh air. We found that it was an easy place to get wonderfully lost. Take a visit to Trinity College. Founded in 1592, it boasts beautiful architecture and notes alumni such as Oscar Wilde and Jonathan Swift.

7. The Cutest Towns

Being a country that could be navigated east to west in just about three hours, we decided to venture out quite often. Pay a visit to the charming town of Enniskerry. It is a prominent filming location in popular movies such as "Leap Year" and "P.S. I Love You." Drop into Poppies Cafe for coffee and summer berry crumble that is second to none. If time permits, drive to the west coast to spend a night or two in Galway. Galway, for us, was best enjoyed by wandering around the small city and soaking in the atmosphere. There is an abundance of small book shops and yummy eats. It's also one of the few places where the national language, Gaelic, is still spoken.

Now that I'm ready to pack my bags and head back to the Emerald Isle, I hope that it has made its way onto your list of places to visit as well! There is no doubt it will capture your heart.