- Almost 789,000 foreign visitors completed a trip to Ireland in August 2026, a 2pc increase compared to the same month last year
- So far this year, 4.7 million overnight foreign visitors came to the country, an increase of 11pc
- The average length of stay for tourists was 8.3 nights
- Tourists spent €729 million in Ireland in August, 2pc lower than last year and 11pc lower than August 2024
- The Irish Tourism Industry Confederation August Dashboard shows hotel occupancy levels down 1pc
Almost 789,000 foreign visitors completed a trip to Ireland in August 2026, according to the latest data from the Central Statistics Office. That represents a 2pc increase compared to the same month last year and up 3pc compared with August 2024. So far this year, 4.7 million overnight foreign visitors came to the country, an increase of 11pc compared with January to August 2025. The average length of stay for tourists was 8.3 nights, slightly down from 8.6 nights in August last year.
More than one third of all visitors came from Britain, the largest share of all tourists, followed by those visiting from continental Europe and North America. More than half of all foreign visitors stated the main purpose of their trip was for holidays and leisure, while 33pc were visiting friends and family. Business trips made up 8pc of all visits. Tourists are estimated to have spent €729 million in Ireland in August alone. The figure is 2pc lower than last year and 11pc lower than in August 2024 when spending reached €820 million.
The Irish Tourism Industry Confederation published its August Dashboard bringing together CSO data and industry statistics to show the tourism sector’s monthly performance. CSO visitor numbers from overseas were up 2pc although spend was down 2pc for the tourism month of August. The key North American market shows signs of softening while occupancy levels in hotels throughout Ireland were down 1pc.
Market by Market
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from Britain in August 2026 were 283,200, up 1.2pc on August 2025 and down 33.8pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 2,567,200, up 1.2pc on the twelve months to August 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from North America were 199,700 in August 2026, ddwn 2.3pc on August 2025 and down 29.3pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 1,598,700, up 7pc on the twelve months to August 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from Europe were 265,600 in August 2026, down 1.2pc on August 2025 and down 35.6pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 2,336,500, up 11pc on the twelve months to August 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from Germany were 56,300 in August 2026, up 8.8pc on August 2025 and down 49.9pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 463.,900, up 5.4pc on the twelve months to August 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from France were 47,700 in August 2026, up 6.5pc on August 2025 and down 31.9pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 348,000 down 3.1pc on the twelve months to August 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from Spain and Portugal were 36,400 in August 2026, up 33.8pc on August 2025 and down 22.2pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 316,200 down 1.2pc on the twelve months to August 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from Italy were 35,600 in August 2026, up 58.9pc on August 2025 and do down 36.2pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 279.900 up 40pc on the twelve months to August 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from Australia and New Zealand were 15,500 in August 2026, down 6.6pc on August 2025 and down 46.7pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 119,300 down 9.3pc on the twelve months to August 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from USA were 171,100 in August 2026, down 4.2pc on August 2025 and down 30.7pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 1,377,300, up 8.7pc on the twelve months to August 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from Belgium, Luxemburg and Netherlands were 31,400 in August 2026, up 8.7pc on August 2025. Rolling annual was 281,000, up 12.7pc on the twelve months to August 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden were 14,300 in August 2026, down 8.3pc on August 2025. Rolling annual was 155,200, up 14.5pc on the twelve months to August 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from Canada were 29,600 in August 2026, up 15.2pc on August 2025 and down 16.7pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 222,100, up 12.1pc on the twelve months to August 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.
External link to CSO release
Destination guides to Ireland’s counties
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
CSO inbound tourism stats for Ireland
Overall – Australia/NZ – Benelux – Britain – Canada – Europe – France – Germany – Italy – North Anerica – Scandinavia – Spain/Portugal – USA – Outbound –
