- September 2026: 135.6k.
- September 2025: 149.6k; y/y: −9.4pc.
- Derived September 2019 proxy: ≈209.7k; vs derived 2019: −35.3pc.
- Jan–Sep 2026: 1,082.0k, up 3.2pc y/y.
- September 2026 vs September 2024: −4.4pc.
Ireland inbound visitor numbers from USA were 135.6k in September, down 9.4pc on September 2025 and down 35pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 1363.3k, up 5pc on the twelve months to September 2025..
The total for the first six months of 2026 was 600,400, up 8pc on the first six months of 2025 and down 37.6pc on pre-pandemic.. Against the CSO data’s derived September 2019 proxy of about 209.7k, the market was 35.3pc lower. September 2026 was also down 4.4pc on September 2024’s 141.8k.
The YTD trend is still positive. Jan–Sep 2026 reached 1,082.0k, up 3.2pc on Jan–Sep 2025, showing that the USA remains a key growth market over the year despite the September decline. The latest month therefore weakens the monthly picture but does not reverse the YTD gain.
The USA remains the dominant component of North America in the workbook. Its September result explains much of the wider North America decline, while the YTD total continues to run ahead of 2025.
Change in CSO methodology
There was a significant change CSO methodology in 2023 which presents difficulties in comparing pre-pandemic figures. It now relies on a single passenger survey with stricter sampling rules. The new survey is also conducted by an interviewer rather than filled out by the passengers themselves. The change had the effect of almost exactly reversing the ratio of inbound & outbound passengers through the airports and ports, 60/40 outbound instead of 60/40 inbound.
CSO tourism stats for Ireland
Overall – Australia/NZ – Benelux – Britain – Canada – Europe – France – Germany – Italy – North Anerica – Scandinavia – Spain/Portugal – USA – Outbound –
