First published in Collier's in January 1953, "I Go Back to Ireland" is John Steinbeck's engaging and affectionate travel essay chronicling his personal journey to find the homeland of his maternal ancestors, the Hamiltons. Accompanied by his wife, Steinbeck sets out across the lush, mist-draped Irish countryside toward Derry and the rolling hills of Ulster, eager to connect with the land that shaped his family's lore.

Written with his trademark warmth, sharp eye for local character, and self-deprecating humor, Steinbeck recounts lively encounters with Irish locals, whimsical conversations in cozy village pubs, and the subtle melancholy of seeking a past that exists mostly in stories. Blending rich cultural observation with personal nostalgia, this delightful piece offers a captivating look at a Nobel laureate exploring the roots behind his own storytelling imagination.