Did you know that over 70–80 million people of Irish descent live outside of Ireland? To put that in perspective, the entire population of both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is only about 6 million.
This massive wave of emigration began during the Great Famine of the 1840s, when countless families left their homeland, with many heading to Liverpool and Manchester, while around 5 million made the long journey across the Atlantic to North America.
Whether you’re one of these descendants looking for a heritage tour with a local Ireland tour guide, or you’re simply fascinated by this lush and beautiful country, let’s go over some fascinating facts and statistics about Ireland to captivate you even more!
Ireland Tourism Statistics: Key Insights for 2025
Let’s begin with how important tourism is in Ireland. In 2024, tourism contributed to 20.4% of Ireland’s GDP, which is nearly a fifth of its economy. This shows just how big the tourism industry is in Ireland.
But where does Ireland rank in tourism globally? While Ireland sits outside the top 50 in the ranks of total arrivals by country, it sits at number 24 on the annual global tourism ranking by the World Economic Forum.
Is Ireland dependent on tourism? Well, tourism generated €5.9bn in revenue in 2019, supporting 330,000 jobs, with the US (27%), Great Britain (25%), Germany (8%) and France (5%) being the greatest contributors. The tourist expenditure grew to €7.3bn in 2023. That sounds like a pretty big yes.
So, how many tourists visit Ireland each year? Here are the annual numbers from 2019 to 2023
- 2018: 10.93 million
- 2019: 9.7 million
- 2020: 4.5 million
- 2021: 0 - Covid Lockdowns
- 2022: 7 million
- 2023: 6.3 million
As you can see, tourism in Ireland was hit by the pandemic, but it's on the mend!
Where do most tourists in Ireland come from? In 2019:
- Great Britain: 3,487,000
- USA: 1,673,000
- Germany: 728,000
- France: 534,000
- Italy: 364,000
Let’s go over this same tourism in Ireland statistics by country, but now comparing it to 2023 figures:
- Great Britain: 2,371,400
- USA: 1,143,300
- Germany: 446,400
So what is the largest tourism trend in Ireland? 50% of visitors to Ireland visit for a holiday, followed by visiting friends and relatives at 32%, business at 14% and other reasons at 4%
Ireland Tourism Quick Facts
- 6.3 million - The number of annual visitors to Ireland in 2023
- Great Britain - The largest contributors to Ireland’s tourism in 2023 with 2.3 million visitors
- €7.3bn - The tourist expenditure for 2023
- 330,000 - The jobs that Ireland’s tourism and travel industry supported in 2019
Travel Q&A: Is tourism in Ireland expensive?
The average money spent by international tourists in 2019 was €518, with an average stay of 7.3 nights. In 2023, this rose to 8.2 nights with an average spending of €1,171. A cup of coffee will set you back around £2.80.
Okay, so what is Ireland’s number one tourism attraction? That would be its capital city, Dublin, which received the most visitors in 2019 at 6,644,000, followed by the South West Region (2,335,000), West (1,943,000), Mid-West (1,432,000) and Midlands & Mid East (954,000).
Now that we know the numbers, let’s go over a bit more about where you should go when in Ireland!
What is Ireland Best Known For? Discover The Country’s Top Destinations
Have you ever wondered, ‘Why is Ireland so popular for tourists?’ Ireland offers a mix of rich heritage, stunning landscapes, and unique experiences. Here’s a quick guide to must-see places in The Emerald Isle:
Top Sights
- Dublin: A blend of old-world charm and modern energy, with literary history, Guinness pubs and medieval architecture.
- Cliffs of Moher: Iconic cliffs offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic, a must for nature lovers.
- Killarney National Park: Ireland’s oldest national park, home to red deer and historic sites like Ross Castle.
- Rock of Cashel: A dramatic historical site with medieval architecture, once the seat of Irish kings.
- Dingle Peninsula: Known for its dramatic beauty, sandy beaches and rich Irish culture.
- Galway: A lively city with a young vibe, known for its arts scene and colorful streets.
Unique Attractions
- Blarney Castle: Famous for the Blarney Stone, which visitors kiss to gain the ‘gift of gab.’
- Ring of Kerry: A scenic drive showcasing Ireland’s rugged landscapes and pristine beaches.
- Glendalough: Historic monastic ruins set amidst serene lakes, offering a glimpse into Ireland’s past.
- McDermott’s Castle: Ruins on Lough Key, surrounded by scenic islands.
Hidden Gems
- Caves of Keash: Ancient caves older than the Pyramids, used by early humans and wildlife.
- Dunmore Cave: A dark cave with a Viking history, known as one of the ‘darkest places in Ireland.’
- Inis Mór Wormhole: A natural rock formation on the Aran Islands, also known as ‘the Serpent’s Lair.’
- Leap Castle: Ireland’s most haunted castle, with legends of ghosts and hidden dungeons.
- Gougane Barra: A stunning valley and lake surrounded by mountains, perfect for a peaceful retreat.
Irish Festivals and Events: A Year-Round Celebration
Need help with planning your itinerary? How about planning your trip around these festivals, if they catch your interest? These festivals highlight Ireland’s rich cultural traditions and are major attractions for both locals and tourists.
Here’s a quick guide to just some of Ireland’s top festivals:
- Kilkenny Cat Laughs Festival: A renowned comedy festival held in the medieval city of Kilkenny, known for its intimate and charming atmosphere.
- Cork Jazz Festival: One of the world’s top jazz festivals, and a major cultural event in Ireland, attracting global talent.
- Saint Patrick's Festival: The most famous national holiday, celebrated with parades, green attire and festivities across Ireland, especially in Dublin.
- Puck Fair: One of Ireland’s oldest festivals, where a wild goat is crowned king in Killorglin, Kerry. The festival features concerts, traditional music and more.
- Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival: The world’s largest matchmaking festival in County Clare, where singles gather for dancing and to find love, guided by a legendary matchmaker.
Gastronomic Delights: Exploring Ireland’s Culinary Scene
When traveling across Ireland, from Dublin to its coastal towns, you'll find a variety of hearty, seasonal dishes that reflect the country's rich culinary traditions.
Here are some tasty treats to keep an eye out for:
- Soda Bread: A staple in every Irish home, soda bread recipes vary by family, with some adding sweet touches like honey or dried fruits and others preferring seeds or oats for a healthier twist. The bread is made with basic ingredients like bicarbonate of soda and buttermilk, and is best enjoyed with plenty of butter.
- Shellfish: Ireland's coastal cuisine shines with fresh shellfish, from oysters in Galway to Dublin Bay prawns, celebrated with their own festivals. The West Coast is particularly known for its plump native oysters available from September.
- Irish Stew: A classic comfort food, Irish stew is traditionally made with mutton, potatoes and onions. Modern versions often use lamb, adding herbs like thyme and parsley for extra flavor. It's a simple, warming dish perfect for chilly days.
- Colcannon and Champ: These traditional potato dishes remain favorites in Irish households. Colcannon mixes mashed potatoes with cabbage or kale, while Champ combines potatoes with spring onions, milk and butter.
- Boxty: A versatile potato dish, Boxty can be made into dumplings, pancakes or bread. It’s a traditional recipe that pairs well with breakfast items like bacon and eggs or smoked salmon.
- Boiled Bacon and Cabbage: Despite its simplicity, this dish is beloved in Ireland. Salted pork is boiled, then paired with cabbage and potatoes, often served with a silky parsley sauce.
- Black and White Pudding: Essential to a full Irish breakfast, black pudding (made with pork blood) and white pudding (without blood) are also popular in modern Irish cuisine, appearing in dishes like salads and risottos.
- Coddle: A one-pot dish with roots in Dublin's working-class communities, Coddle is a slow-cooked stew of sausages, bacon, potatoes and onions. It’s a comforting dish, often served with soda bread.
- Barmbrack: A fruity tea loaf, Barmbrack is traditionally served around Halloween, with charms baked inside to predict the future. It’s a sweet, slightly fermented bread best enjoyed with butter and a cup of tea.
- Tayto Sandwich: A beloved Irish snack, the Tayto sandwich is made with iconic Tayto crisps, Brennan’s bread and Kerry gold butter. It's a simple yet satisfying treat.
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Irish Coffee and Baby Guinness: Irish Coffee is a classic warm drink with whiskey and cream, while Baby Guinness is a shot resembling a tiny pint of Guinness, made with coffee liqueur and Irish cream.
The Best Time to Visit Ireland: Weather and Seasonal Highlights
Ireland's weather is mild and changeable, with rain possible at any time of the year. Temperatures are generally moderate across the country, with little variation. The North Atlantic Drift keeps winters warmer than other places at similar latitudes, while summers remain cool.
The west coast is much wetter than the east, with Dublin on the east coast receiving almost half the rainfall of western regions. Inland areas are slightly warmer in summer and colder in winter than coastal regions. Central Ireland experiences around 40 days below freezing each year, while coastal areas see only about 10 freezing days annually.
Ireland's lush green landscapes, nurtured by its mild climate and abundant rainfall, have earned it the nickname ‘Emerald Isle.’ With rolling hills, mountainous areas, and dramatic green vistas, Ireland is a picturesque destination year-round.
Dublin’s Weather
Dublin, the capital, enjoys a temperate maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. Contrary to popular belief, Dublin has fewer rainy days than London. January’s average high is about 8°C, while July sees highs around 20°C. Summers offer up to 19 hours of daylight, while winter days have just 9 hours.
Dublin’s wettest months are December and August, each averaging 74mm of rain, while April is the driest with 45mm. Occasionally, strong winds from the Atlantic hit Dublin, but storms here are less severe than elsewhere in Ireland.
Dublin also experiences the urban heat effect, making the city center slightly warmer than surrounding areas. The east coast averages 750mm of rainfall annually, compared to 1,500mm on the west coast. Higher altitudes can see up to 2,000mm.
Though Ireland generally lacks temperature extremes, it has seen rare heatwaves, with the highest recorded temperature being 33.3°C in Kilkenny Castle in 1887.
Transport In Ireland: How To Get Around The Emerald Isle
When visiting the Republic of Ireland, knowing how to get around is crucial, as attractions are often outside Dublin. It’s best to pre-plan your itinerary so you can book options in advance, but here are the main forms of transport to get you started:
- Car: Renting a car is one of the best ways to explore Ireland, especially since the most beautiful sites are often in rural areas. You can rent a car, hire a driver or even opt for a campervan to double as accommodation. An international driving permit is required.
- Public Transport: Public transport can be challenging in Ireland, especially outside the main cities. Buses connect major cities from airports like Dublin, Cork and Shannon, and local buses serve smaller towns. Travel cards like Leap and iLink are cost-effective for bus services.
- Taxi and Uber: Taxis are metered and can be expensive. Uber operates only in Dublin.
- Bike: Cycling is popular, especially in the countryside, where bike rentals are available. It’s a great way to explore local sites, weather permitting. Always cycle on the left-hand side of the road.
Planning Your Irish Vacation: Travel Tips and Recommendations
Traveling, as fun as it is, can be daunting if you don’t know the country and its rules. That’s why we’ve gone through and pulled out some bits of information that will help you when you’re there. These tips will help you navigate Irish culture smoothly and enjoy your trip!
Dos
- Learn to ‘Slag’: Don’t be offended by friendly teasing; it’s a sign of affection in Irish culture.
- Be Social: Expect chatty conversations with locals. Embrace it!
- Pub Etiquette: Always buy your round when it’s your turn and be patient when ordering Guinness — it’s a slow pour for a reason. Ask before taking a seat in crowded pubs.
- Prepare for Rain: Bring waterproof clothing and an umbrella; Ireland’s weather is unpredictable.
Don'ts
- Don’t be bothered by swearing: Swearing is common and not meant to be offensive, so try to ignore it.
- No Leprechauns: Avoid mentioning leprechauns or other Irish clichés — they can be seen as annoying stereotypes.
- Don’t Order an ‘Irish Car Bomb’: This drink’s name is offensive due to its association with violent history.
- No Smoking Indoors: Smoking in enclosed public places is illegal. Use designated smoking areas.
The Future Outlook for Tourism in Ireland
Despite some recovery, international visitor numbers have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. Airline capacity has largely rebounded, but accommodation remains tight, with 20% of rooms occupied by humanitarian housing. Tourism growth in Ireland lags behind other European destinations, with demand strong from North America but weaker from Britain.
Global tourism is expected to reach new highs this year, driven by leisure travel, but challenges include accommodation shortages due to government use for refugee housing, high costs and labor shortages. New airline routes from North America and Europe present opportunities for growth, but Dublin Airport's passenger cap could limit expansion.
Conclusion
There you have it, some tourism statistics, Ireland edition, along with some interesting tourism in Ireland facts that may just have got you itching to visit.
Looking to get your travel plans started? How about booking a private guide in Ireland to show you around? We’ll see you there!
