Welcome

Close to 9 million overseas tourists now visit Ireland each year.
4.5 million, do so for the first time.

Source, sample surveys conducted for the Irish tourist industry.

Over 50% of overseas tourists stated that they visited Ireland just to holiday (vacation).

It is important to note that not all overseas tourists respond that they only visited Ireland to holiday. A substantial number of overseas tourists, 30% went to visit friends and relatives, but it is very likely of course that they holidayed also. Another 15% visited to conduct business and a small percentage of people visited Ireland for other reasons.

Taking a closer look at the 50% who visited Ireland just for a vacation (holiday) most, two thirds, did so for the first time. It’s also possible that a substantial number of those visiting for other reasons did so for the first time also. For example, two thirds of those who stated they were visiting friends and relatives, were not born in Ireland.

When you consider the substantial number of first time visitors, it is easy to understand how volumes of information available online can not only be overwhelming, but paralyzing also. Sometimes too much information is just, well, too much, especially for the first time visitor.

The goal here is to cut through the clutter.

If you are returning to Ireland, please explore the listing section where you can browse accommodation, activities and a calendar of events.

IMPORTANT

The average length of stay in Ireland is about 7 days and yet most, 80% are surprised that there was not enough time to do all that was planned! It is possible to do a “drive by” tour of Ireland and observe life and scenery through a window, but what a waste. When planning your visit think of it this way, it’s not about how much you can see or do, but what you must leave out.

When booking accommodation or an activity in Ireland your support of our partner listers and advertisers will be very much appreciated. Their contribution is essential in maintaining a global platform for Irish culture and tourism
We encourage you to book directly with the accommodation or activity provider. Third party booking platforms create a substantial and totally unnecessary expense for the business owner and provide no additional cost saving for you. Use those platforms as a source of research, then find your location’s contact information online, if not available here and book direct.
You’ll be glad you did and so will the business.

Why Ireland?

The most important factors for holidaying in Ireland according to visitors are ..

1 The People. Friendly hospitable people.
2 Safe and secure destination.
3 Beautiful scenery.
4 Interesting history and culture.
5 Easy, relaxed pace of life.
6 Good range of natural attractions.

The Voice of Ireland

The network that connects, entertains and informs a global Irish community,
preserves culture and promotes tourism.

Weather alert!
You should not go to Ireland and expect to depend on the weather. Greenery requires rain so it’s best to expect some. Either way, Irish weather can provide a dramatic and dynamic element to stunning scenery and
how else do you do expect to find that
croc of gold?.

Where do people go?

Popular regions tourists visit in Ireland.

1 Dublin

42%

As a single destination Dublin City is the most popular with over 42% of visits.

2 The West of Ireland
39%

Grouped together, the South West, Mid West and the West of Ireland regions attract 39% of visits.

3 The South East of Ireland
7%

The South East of Ireland, contains the five counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford

4 The Border Area
with Northern Ireland
6%

When visiting Northern Ireland from the Irish Republic you'll need £'s Sterling, not the Euro as used in the south.

5 The Mid East of Ireland
4%

Counties, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow
Visit, Glendalough, The Wicklow Mountains National Park, the largest of Ireland’s six National Parks.

6 The Midlands
2%

Includes counties Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath.
Ireland’s most famous bog, The Clara Bog, is located in County Offaly is a haven for wildlife.

Quick travel note.

Ireland is a small country measuring about 174 miles (280 km) wide and 302 miles (486 km) long.
When compared to a US State, it’s a little smaller than the State of Indiana.
A drive from Dublin City on the east coast of Ireland to
anywhere along the west coast can take up to 3 or 4 hours.
Driving from one end of Ireland to the other, north / south can take 8 hours.
Please note, the times given here are approximate and for guideline purposes only.
There’s more on travel in Ireland in a moment.

Popular attractions visited in Ireland

There are two categories, fee charging and free.
Note. Visitors to the following attractions both free and fee charging can include domestic tourists.

The Voice of Ireland

Considering a trip to Ireland?

Close to 9 million overseas tourists now visit Ireland each year.4.5 million, do so for the first time.

If you are returning to Ireland, please explore the listing section where you can browse accommodation, activities and a calendar of events.

Why Ireland?The most important factors for holidaying in Ireland according to visitors are ..1 The People. Friendly hospitable people.2 Safe and secure destination.3 Beautiful scenery.4 Interesting history and culture.5 Easy, relaxed pace of life.6 Good range of natural attractions.

The Voice of Ireland

Weather alert! You should not go to Ireland and expect to depend on the weather. Greenery requires rain so it’s best to expect some. Either way, Irish weather can provide a dramatic and dynamic element to stunning scenery and how else do you do expect to find that croc of gold?.

Where do people go?

1 Dublin42%

2 The West of Ireland39%

3 The South East of Ireland7%

4 The Border Areawith Northern Ireland6%

5 The Mid East of Ireland4%

6 The Midlands2%

Quick travel note.

Popular attractions visited in Ireland

Top 5 fee charging attractions

1. The Guinness Storehouse, Dublin

2 The Cliffs of Moher

3 Dublin Zoo

5 The Book of Kells

Top 5 free attractions

1 The National Gallery of Ireland

2 The Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin

3 The National Botanatic Gardens, Dublin.

4 Doneraile Wildlife Park

5 The National Museum of Ireland, Archaeology

Ireland's Attractions & Location

1 Glenveagh National Park

2 Connemara National Park

3 Galway City

4 Aran Islands

5 The Cliffs of Moher

6 The Burren

7 Bunratty Castle

8 Adare Village

9 The Great Blasket Islands

10 Skellig Michael

11 Killarney National Park

12 Killarney Town

13 Blarney Castle

14 Kinsale

15 Wicklow Mountains National Park

16 Dublin City

17 Newgrange

18 The Cooley Peninsula

19 The Dark Hedges

20 The Giant's Causeway

Share this location!

Close to 9 million overseas tourists now visit Ireland each year.
4.5 million, do so for the first time.

Why Ireland?

The most important factors for holidaying in Ireland according to visitors are ..

1 The People. Friendly hospitable people.
2 Safe and secure destination.
3 Beautiful scenery.
4 Interesting history and culture.
5 Easy, relaxed pace of life.
6 Good range of natural attractions.

Weather alert!
You should not go to Ireland and expect to depend on the weather. Greenery requires rain so it’s best to expect some. Either way, Irish weather can provide a dramatic and dynamic element to stunning scenery and
how else do you do expect to find that
croc of gold?.

1 Dublin

42%

2 The West of Ireland
39%

3 The South East of Ireland
7%

4 The Border Area
with Northern Ireland
6%

5 The Mid East of Ireland
4%

6 The Midlands
2%

5 The National Museum of Ireland,
Archaeology