Number of tourists who came to Ireland in May surges

Spending by foreign visitors in May also increased

Foreign visitors who departed Ireland in May 2026 stayed a total of 4.8 million nights in the country, up 16% on May 2025 and up 7% on May 2024.

Tourists visiting Ireland last month surged by 18% as their spending increased to €608m.

New data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows some 661,500 foreign visitors completed a trip to Ireland in May, an increase of 18% when compared with May 2025 and up 6% on May 2024.

The average length of stay for foreign resident overnight visitors was 7.2 nights, down from 7.3 nights last year.

Visitors from Great Britain accounted for the largest share at 36%, compared with Continental Europe (33%), North America (26%), and the Rest of the World (4%).

Spending by foreign visitors in May was estimated at €608m, up 27% compared with May 2025 (€477m), and up 1% compared with May 2024 (€603m).

The CSO data is based on a survey of approximately 13,000 departing passengers each month at ports and airports.

Foreign visitors who departed Ireland in May 2026 stayed a total of 4.8 million nights in the country, up 16% on May 2025 and up 7% on May 2024.

Edward Duffy, statistician in the Tourism and Travel Division, said expenditure in Ireland, excluding fares, was €608m in May.

"Visitors from North America accounted for €246m (40%), Continental Europe for €198m (33%), Great Britain for €121m (20%) and visitors from the Rest of the World for €43m (7%). 

"Taken together, this represented an increase of 27% when compared with May 2025, and a rise of 1% when compared with May 2024."

Visitor numbers rose in May 2026 when compared with May 2025: Great Britain (+21%), Continental Europe (+25%), North America (+5%), and Rest of the World (+36%). 

The leading purpose for travel to Ireland was for Holidays, Leisure & Recreation (46%), followed by Visiting Friends & Relatives (31%), and Business trips (12%).