Céad míle fáilte: Why our visitors keep coming back to Ireland

Jo Kerrigan invites us to pause and reflect on the wonders available on our doorstep

Zara Broe from Scoil Mhuire, Co.Meath, enjoying the Boyne Blueway, Trim, Co Meath.

Our tourism figures show it, every year proves it yet again. Whether they are from France or Germany, the United States or Japan, neighbouring UK or faraway New Zealand and Australia, everyone, it seems, has a long-held desire to visit Ireland.

Their reasons may differ. Many come because their ancestors emigrated from this island long ago, in the hope of finding a new life, and now their descendants want to retrace their family history.