Inside Our Ireland Trip: A First-Time AdventureWomen Experience With Stella
Our very own Adventure Manager Stella M. embarked on her first trip with AdventureWomen, ‘Ireland: Hiking the Emerald Isle’ this past June. She shared with us the lasting impact this trip had on her, expert advice, and inspiration for your next adventure!
Is this your first trip with AdventureWomen, and if so, how did you decide on this trip?
This was my first trip with AdventureWomen, and I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to the AdventureWomen style of travel – each day was both full and fulfilling.
I attended university at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, so I was drawn to the idea of returning to a country I already know and love but experiencing it in a completely new way. I enjoyed that the AdventureWomen itinerary goes beyond the familiar highlights and explores regions I hadn’t yet discovered. And I’m so glad Ireland was my first experience with AdventureWomen, because the locals truly made the journey that much more memorable. Their warmth, humor, and generosity of spirit welcomed us at every turn.
Did you have a favorite hike or landscape from the itinerary? What made it so memorable?
There were two places we hiked that really stole my heart – the Burren region and Skellig Michael.
The Burren is unlike any landscape I’ve encountered before, with vast stretches of limestone pavement, full of cracks and fissures that create tiny, hidden pockets of life. It looks almost moonlike at first glance, but as you walk, you start to notice all the vibrant, delicate life growing between the stones. We all enjoyed identifying the unique mix of plant species in this region, which includes Arctic, Alpine, and Mediterranean wildflowers all growing alongside each other.
One of the biggest highlights for me, though, was getting to visit Skellig Michael. Prior to our trip, it was uncertain whether we’d make it there at all – tours had been shut down for much of May and early June due to a legal dispute among some of the boat operators, and no one knew if things would reopen in time. But just a week before we were scheduled to go, the situation was resolved and we got to go.
Skellig Michael is not just a stunning destination, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of place. Only about 11,000 people visit the islands each year, with roughly 180 allowed per day, so stepping foot there feels like entering a rarely touched world. We were lucky with weather, which can be unpredictable, and though the boat ride was wet and bumpy (pack that rain gear!), it only added to the feeling that this was a real adventure. The island rises dramatically out of the Atlantic, jagged and ancient, with over 600 stone steps leading up to a 6th-century monastery that somehow still stands at the top. It’s completely unforgettable.
Were there any unexpected experiences or surprises that made the trip special?
Honestly, everything about this trip felt special. My mum passed away almost ten years ago, when I was 18, and since then I’ve come to deeply cherish opportunities to be around incredible, like-minded women. There’s a kind of quiet healing that happens in those spaces, where laughter, support, and shared stories can help fill the space that grief leaves behind. For me, this trip was exactly that.
One particularly touching part of the journey was seeing a mother-daughter pair traveling together. Watching them share this experience brought back so many memories of traveling with my mum. It made me genuinely happy to see how much the daughter enjoyed simply being with her mother and leaning into the experience. And what made it even more special was seeing her confidence and independence grow throughout the trip. By the end, she was off exploring and connecting with the other women in the group, clearly feeling comfortable and at home. Watching that evolution showed me first-hand how powerful and supportive women-centered travel can be.
What was it like to travel with this group of women? Was this your first group tour?
While this wasn’t my first group tour, I have not traveled with a group in nearly a decade, and this was my very first experience traveling with an all-women group. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but it turned out to be one of the most meaningful and energizing parts of the entire trip.
I saw a video recently that said something along the lines of women’s group travel being so special because women don’t ask other women “can you do that activity?” That really resonated with me, and I found it to be entirely true on my AdventureWomen trip to Ireland. There was this steady current of encouragement woven through everything we did. Whether we were hiking, sharing stories over dinner, or pausing to admire a flower growing out of the rock, there was always someone beside you – cheering you on, laughing with you, or simply walking alongside in companionable silence.
There’s something truly special about women’s group travel – it creates such a natural setting for forming deep connections and friendships. You bond over shared experiences, support each other without hesitation, and often end up having conversations that go far beyond surface level.
What did you learn about Ireland through this trip that you didn’t know before?
Before this trip, I had a general sense of Ireland’s charm, but being there really deepened my appreciation for its rich and layered history. I learned so much about the country’s past – from ancient Celtic mythology to the scars left by colonization and famine, history seems to live in every stone wall, every castle ruin, and every quiet country road. One thing that really surprised and fascinated me was how deeply rooted the folklore of faeries and mythical beings still is in Irish culture. These aren’t just children’s stories – they’re part of a living tradition.
Another thing I did not know, but won’t forget anytime soon, was just how narrow the roads in Ireland can be. One of our guides told us that the Irish only consider a road to be truly narrow if there are tufts of grass growing right down the middle of it. And sure enough, we found ourselves on more than one of those – where the center of the “road” looked more like a hiking path than a place for vehicles. It was both slightly terrifying and completely delightful.
What would you say to someone who’s thinking about joining this trip but isn’t sure yet?
If you’re even thinking about this trip, it’s probably exactly what you need.
Ireland is such an easy, welcoming place to travel. There’s a deep sense of safety and comfort in the air – from the way the locals greet you like old friends to the cozy charm of the villages and landscapes. It’s a country that makes you feel at home the moment you arrive, so much so that I heard a handful of times women barely felt like they left the U.S.! For anyone who hasn’t traveled much internationally, Ireland is the perfect entry point. It’s adventurous but not intimidating, rich in history and culture yet incredibly accessible.
What makes this trip truly special, though, is how you get to experience Ireland – through the lens of AdventureWomen. You’re not just sightseeing; you’re connecting. You’re sharing laughter, stories, challenges, and moments of awe with people who are showing up just as fully as you are. There’s a kind of natural sisterhood that forms, almost without effort, and by the end of the trip, you’re not just returning home with photos – you’re returning with friendships, memories, and a sense of empowerment that stays with you.
So if you’re unsure, take the leap, and you’ll be so happy you did. Ireland, with all its wild beauty, warmth, and magic, is waiting for you!
Any packing tips or travel advice for future AdventureWomen guests headed to Ireland?
We were incredibly lucky with the weather during our trip – it was so perfect that it actually made headlines in the local newspapers! But even with all that sunshine, I can’t stress this enough: bring your rain gear. A good waterproof jacket and rain pants are essential – not just for rain, but also for the wind. It’s almost always windy in Ireland, especially along the coast and in open landscapes like the Burren or the Skellig Michael boat ride. That wind can cut through even on dry days, so having gear that blocks both rain and wind makes a big difference in staying warm and comfortable.
A few other essentials:
- Broken-in hiking boots or trail shoes are a must for the varied terrains
- Trekking poles are great for added balance and support, especially on rocky or uneven trails
- Comfortable shoes, flip-flops, or slippers are a lifesaver for long van rides and relaxing at the end of a hiking day (your feet will thank you)
- A good daypack (20–25L) with a rain cover is necessary for hikes and daily outings
- A reusable water bottle is a must. A hydration bladder also works well, though I found I only used mine on our longest hike (the Kerry Way)
And don’t forget the small but important items:
- Sunglasses, a hat (if you wear one), and sunscreen – even in Ireland!
- If you’re prone to motion sickness, bring along some over-the-counter or prescribed medication – the boat ride to Skellig Michael and the winding roads can be challenging. And don’t ever hesitate to ask to sit in the front of the van – several women in our group did this and felt much better for it.
And finally – layers, layers, layers. Ireland’s weather can swing from cool and breezy to sunny and warm within an afternoon. Layering makes it easy to adjust and stay comfortable without overpacking.
