Increase in visitors holidaying in Ireland in April, figures show

Published: Tue 2 Jun 2026, 11:20 AM

Over half a million foreign visitors made a trip to Ireland in April 2026, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

This was an increase of 7% compared with April 2025 and up 30% from April 2024.

The CSO says that foreign visitors who departed Ireland in April stayed a total of 3.9 million nights in the country, up 14% from last year and 12% from April 2024.

When it came to the visitors' nationalities, the largest share came from 39%, with 36% from Continental Europe, 21% from North America, and 4% from the rest of the world.

In April, 41% of the visitors had indicated that the purpose of their trip was for holidays, with 36% visiting friends and relatives, with 15% being for business trips.

The average length of stay for overnight visitors was up to 6.9 nights from 6.5 nights in April 2025.

Expenditure by visitors was up 15% compared to last year, equating to €431 million.

Edward Duffy, Statistician in the Tourism and Travel Division, said: “The results show that just under 565,000 foreign resident visitors completed a trip to Ireland in April 2026, an increase of 7% compared with April 2025 and up 3% compared with April 2024.

“The number of nights spent in Ireland by foreign visitors in April was just over 3.9 million nights, up 14% when compared with April 2025 and up 12% compared with April 2024.

“In April 2026, the greatest number of visitors came from Great Britain (39%), followed by Continental Europe (36%), North America (21%), and the Rest of the World (4%).

“Visitor numbers rose in April 2026 when compared with April 2025: Great Britain (+2%), Continental Europe (+10%), North America (+14%), and visitors from the Rest of the World fell when compared with April 2025 (-1%).

“The visitors' expenditure in Ireland (excluding fares) was €431 million in April 2026. Visitors from Continental Europe accounted for €159 million (37%), North America for €145 million (34%), Great Britain for €99 million (23%) and visitors from the Rest of the World for €28 million (7%). Taken together, this represented an increase of 15% when compared with April 2025, and a rise of 3% when compared with April 2024.

“The leading purpose for travel to Ireland in April 2026 was for Holidays, Leisure & Recreation (41%), followed by Visiting Friends & Relatives (36%), and Business trips (15%)."