There’s a reason people who visit the island of Ireland tend to come back talking less about the sights and more about the moments in between: the pub conversation that ran long, the coast road they stumbled upon during a road trip, the hike that took their breath away.

Ireland has a way of giving you more than what you came for, and there’s never been a better time to go. Taste your way through award-winning food and whiskey, celebrate at festivals year-round, step into the landscapes behind your favorite on-screen worlds, and get there on flights shorter than some domestic routes.

Here are eight reasons to go now.