Quote Originally Posted by chaika View Post
40 years, still struggling.
You are kidding, aren't you?

Quote Originally Posted by chaika View Post
Летом я ездил в Ирландию.
Летом я съездил в Ирландию.
No idea what the difference might be. :-^(
This specific example is not just about the verbs of motion. It relates to the concept of perfective/imperfective verbs in general.

It is the same as if you compared the phrases like

Вчера я говорил с другом.
Вчера я поговорил с другом.

There's no motion in my examples, but the idea is the same.

Technically, both options are valid in your example and in mine. But they have some slight nuances.
Ask native speakers, "What is the difference?", and they would hardly provide an answer.

However, in your example (and in mine) the imperfective is used when there was no expectation from the listener's side that you would do it:
"Летом я ездил в Ирландию." - you say it to inform the listener about something new, unknown to him/her.
The same is for "Вчера я говорил с другом."


"Летом я съездил в Ирландию." - It is more suitable when you were expected to visit Ireland. The listener knows you were planning to go there. And you notify him/her you have successfully performed your plan.
The same is for "Вчера я поговорил с другом." - it was already expected you had to talk to your friend about something.