Number of overseas visitors to Ireland up by 6%

THE number of overseas visitors to Ireland grew by 6% in the first three months of the year but tourist numbers from the key north American market tumbled by 11%, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The CSO said yesterday that tourist numbers were strong in March, with 616,000 people visiting Ireland during the month. This was 13% ahead of the same month last year. The increases meant total visitors to Ireland in the first quarter were 6% up on last year at nearly 1.8 million. Visitors from Britain and Europe over the three months were up by 100,000.

But the tourist industry warned that visitor numbers received an artificial boost thanks to Easter falling in March this year. Visitor numbers also benefited from two high-profile rugby internationals.