Record-Breaking Domestic Tourism in Ireland
In a testament to Ireland’s vibrant tourism sector, Irish residents spent a remarkable 9.2 million nights on domestic trips during the second quarter of this year, an increase of 5% from the previous year, according to recent data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
Domestic Travel Trends
Between April and June, 4.34 million overnight domestic trips were recorded, marking a 3% uptick. Nearly half of these trips, about 48%, were taken for holidays, while 36% involved visiting friends and relatives. Business trips accounted for 6% of these journeys.
Southern counties such as Cork, Tipperary, Limerick, and Kerry were popular destinations, capturing more than two-fifths of the total domestic trips. Meanwhile, northern, western, and eastern counties collectively accounted for 58% of the travel activity.
International Travel Sees a Dip
Interestingly, there was a 3% decrease in overnight trips abroad by Irish residents, with 4.1 million trips recorded. The total number of nights spent abroad was 22.6 million, with an average stay of 5.5 nights, slightly down from 5.6 nights the previous year. Holidays dominated these trips, comprising 72% of the total.
Recovery in Inbound Tourism
In a turnaround for inbound tourism, Ireland welcomed approximately 3.9 million foreign visitors in the first seven months of the year, up 13% from the previous year. This figure slightly surpasses visitor numbers from 2024 by 0.4%.
July alone saw about 676,300 foreign visitors, a 5% increase compared to July 2025 and a 3% rise from July 2024. Tourist spending from January to July reached over €4.5 billion, showing a 14% increase from the prior year but still trailing 2024 figures by nearly 2%.
For more details, visit Irishexaminer.com.
What’s Next for Ireland?
These developments highlight a robust domestic tourism market fueled by the Irish populace, alongside a promising rebound in international tourism. As travel dynamics continue to evolve, Ireland’s travel industry may anticipate further growth, bolstered by a blend of local enthusiasm and international interest.
