- Some 661,500 foreign visitors completed trips to Ireland in May 2026.
- Visitors spent a total of 4.8 million nights in the country.
- Expenditure by foreign visitors reached €608 million.
- Great Britain accounted for 36pc of the visitors.
- Holidays, leisure and recreation formed the main purpose for 46pc of trips.
Tourists have spent an estimated €608m in Ireland last month as visitor numbers have continued to climb. Latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show tourists spent €608m during May, up from €477m in May 2025.
Spending was also slightly higher than the €603m recorded in May 2024. The figures exclude fares and cover money spent while visitors were in Ireland.
A total of 661,500 tourists visited Ireland in May, an increase of 18pc compared with the same month last year. This year’s tally is 6pc higher than May 2024. These visitors spent a combined 4.8 million nights in the country across the month, up 16pc year on year. The average stay for a tourist lasted 7.2 nights.
Visitors spent 4.8 million nights in the country. Great Britain accounted for 36pc of visitors while Continental Europe made up 33pc and North America 26pc. Holidays, leisure and recreation formed the main purpose for 46pc of trips.
Visitors from Britain made up 36pc of the total while people from Continental Europe made up 33pc. North Americans accounted for 26pc and the rest of the world made up 4pc. Italy was the fastest growing market. North Americans were the biggest spenders with total expenditure of €246m. Accommodation amounted to €296m while day to day spending reached €290m.
Market by Market
- Ireland outbound was 1,346,200 in May, down 3.8pc on May 2025 and up 75.8pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 12,518,600, down 1.7pc on the twelve months to May 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers in May were 661,500, up 1.8pc on May 2025 and down 39.8pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 680,200, up 9.1pc on the twelve months to May 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from Britain in May were 240,100, up 21pc on May 2025 and down 34.6pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 2,545,8000, up 1.8pc on the twelve months to May 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from North America were 172,200 in May, up 4.7pc on May 2025 and down 33.86pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 1,612,200, down 15.4pc on the twelve months to May 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from Europe were 220,600 in May, up 25.1pc on May 2025 and down 39.9pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 2,300,500, up 7.1pc on the twelve months to May 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from Germany were 42,200 in May, up 6.6pc on May 2025 and down 49pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 458,800, up 7pc on the twelve months to May 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from France were 39,000 in May, down 2pc on May 2025 and down 33.2pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 356,500 down 4.1pc on the twelve months to May 2025
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from Spain and Portugal were 19.200 in May, down 21.6pc on May 2025 and down 49.4pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 315,900 down 8.7pc on the twelve months to May 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from Italy were 23,900 in May, up 117.3pc on May 2025 and down 27.1pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 258,100 up 17.5pc on the twelve months to May 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from Australia and New Zealand were 10,200 in May, down 3c on May 2025 and down 46pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 125,300 down 4.9pc on the twelve months to May 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from USA were 141,300 in May, up 1.5pc on May 2025 and down 33.8pc on pre-pandemic. Rolling annual was 1,385,800, up 16.5pc on the twelve months to May 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from Belgium, Luxemburg and Netherlands were 30,100 in May, up 47.5pc on May 2025. Rolling annual was 280,700, up 9.2pc on the twelve months to May 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden were 14,700 in May, up 19.5c on May 2025. Rolling annual was 152,300, up 7.5pc on the twelve months to May 2025.
- Ireland inbound visitor numbers from Canada were 30,800 in May, up 25.3pc on May 2025. Rolling annual was 226,900, up 31.64pc on the twelve months to May 2025.
Edward Duffy shared “The survey results show that just over 660,000 foreign resident visitors completed a trip to Ireland in May 2026, an increase of 18pc compared with May 2025. The visitors’ expenditure in Ireland (excluding fares) was €608 million in May 2026.”
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 –
