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A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>The medieval city of Carcassonne in France was restored by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. Ireland could well emulate his work on landmarks including Timoleague Abbey in Cork and Quin Abbey in Clare. Picture: iStock</p>

comment-analysis

Timoleague and Quin abbeys could be Ireland's Carcassonne

Romantic 'poetic decay' notions have left Ireland with crumbling abbeys, monasteries, and friaries. We should be inspired by a 19th century French man who put Carcassonne back on the map

<p>Paul Mangan at the Museum of Curiosities which he curates in Pembrooke St Lower, Dublin. Picture: Gareth Chaney</p>

spotlight

Inside Dublin’s Museum of Curiosities as conjoined lambs and historic royal cake go on display

<p>In November, 460,300 foreign visitors completed a trip to Ireland in — representing an increase of around 52,600 compared to November 2024. </p>

economy

November tourism figures up 13%

Micheal Martin visit to China

politics

Taoiseach moves on to Shanghai on China visit where the message is the same: Invest in Ireland

Cork Airport serves 3.46 million passengers in busiest year ever breaking 15-year-old record

companies

Cork Airport serves 3.46 million passengers in busiest year ever breaking 15-year-old record

Paul Hosford: As homelessness rises, thousands of Irish homes sit vacant on short-term letting sites

Tourism sector forecasts revenue rebound in 2026 after challenging year

Tourism sector forecasts revenue rebound in 2026 after challenging year

Visitor numbers to Ireland are expected to be down 6% this year, but tourism industry intelligence points to a flat year or one marginally down

Tue, 30 Dec, 2025

Fixing South Kerry's depopulation problem

Fixing South Kerry's depopulation problem

An alarming drop in the number of children in South Kerry is running counter to the population rise elsewhere, and it's all down to housing policy, writes Orla Hegarty

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Waitress Serving Drinks To Group Of Friends Sitting At Table In Pub Garden Enjoying Drink Together

Why can't hospitality build a stable, happy workforce?

An industry that loses people faster than it can train them definitely isn’t sustainable — something has to change, writes Orla McAndrew

Thu, 11 Dec, 2025

Dublin airport Terminal 1, people checking in for their flights

Airline seat capacity to Ireland expected to rise 15% this winter

the figures from Fáilte Ireland come amid a pause in the Dublin Airport passenger cap

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

Iconic East Cork pub with Hollywood link set to close

Iconic East Cork pub with Hollywood link set to close

Moby Dick’s bar in Youghal, Co Cork, will eventually go up for sale but will cease trading on New Year's Day

Sun, 30 Nov, 2025

A general view of the action 28/9/2025

NFL Dublin: Talks underway to host more American Football games in Ireland

Cabinet hears that discussions are underway to host another NFL international game in Croke Park in 2026

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

Councillors call for more public toilets at popular outdoor pursuit areas in Kerry

Councillors call for more public toilets at popular outdoor pursuit areas in Kerry

However, the council said it must bring existing toilets up to modern standards before it can expand that number

Wed, 12 Nov, 2025

3d car motorhome, 3d rendering concept for advertising

West Cork needs more camper van sites as beaches 'congested'

A recent meeting of Cork County Council’s West Cork Municipal District heard regulation was needed in certain areas to limit the amount of time camper vans were allowed to stay

Thu, 06 Nov, 2025

Passenger airplane flying above clouds during sunset

Tourism spending falls 16% in September

This is despite a rise in the number of foreign visitors here when compared to the same month last year

Wed, 29 Oct, 2025

Lonely Planet's Ultimate Travelist

Almost half of Ireland's tourism businesses reported fall in income during summer season

Fáilte Ireland survey found 43% of all tourism businesses had reported a fall in income this summer compared to the same period in 2024

Mon, 27 Oct, 2025

Two Michelin star restaurant, Terre, helps five-star Castlemartyr Resort raise revenue

Two Michelin star restaurant, Terre, helps five-star Castlemartyr Resort raise revenue

Dinner at Terre is €220 per person excluding beverages

Mon, 20 Oct, 2025

91568

Ernest Shackleton's footsteps: Antarctic hero's cabin is restored and open to visitors

Explorer's cabin had been used as a shed in Norway for most of a century — but now it's been brought back to his Irish birthplace and meticulously restored

Sun, 12 Oct, 2025

The Cliffs of Moher project that could change how Ireland welcomes the world

The Cliffs of Moher project that could change how Ireland welcomes the world

A University of Limerick team has created a data dashboard to help Ireland’s tourism industry tailor experiences in real time

Sat, 11 Oct, 2025

Longford Center Parc resort enjoys record revenues of €2m per week

Longford Center Parc resort enjoys record revenues of €2m per week

The Center Parcs Irish business also experienced a slight drop on the occupancy rates

Thu, 09 Oct, 2025

Tourism Ireland spend €200k on campaign for hit show 'Wednesday'

Tourism Ireland spend €200k on campaign for hit show 'Wednesday'

The latest season of Wednesday was shot at various locations, including Powerscourt House in Wicklow, Charleville Castle in Offaly and Deansgrange Cemetery in Dublin

Wed, 08 Oct, 2025

Budget 2026: Here's what's expected as talks set to go down to the wire

Budget 2026: Here's what's expected as talks set to go down to the wire

Paul Hosford and Louise Burne break down what we are likely to see on Tuesday across each of 12 government departments

Mon, 06 Oct, 2025

Dining out the biggest draw for visitors to Cork city centre, says Chamber survey

Dining out the biggest draw for visitors to Cork city centre, says Chamber survey

The Economic Trends survey measured business sentiment and economic outlook

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Ireland's attractions see stagnant visitor numbers

Ireland's attractions see stagnant visitor numbers

Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions said during 2024, its members recorded 19.2 million visitors compared to the 23 million recorded in 2019

Mon, 29 Sep, 2025

Aer Lingus A321 NEO at Manchester Airport

Monthly tourism figures increase for the first time in a year but visitor spending still down

About 772,800 foreign visitors completed a trip to Ireland in August, an increase of 1% compared to August last year, CSO data shows

Mon, 29 Sep, 2025

Times square in New York City

Irish spending in US drops 18% as UK overtakes Spain for top travel spend

New AIB data shows Irish spending in the US fell 18% in August, while the UK overtook Spain as the top destination

Fri, 12 Sep, 2025

Ireland's JustTip expands cashless tipping service across Europe

Ireland's JustTip expands cashless tipping service across Europe

The myPOS card terminals allow customers to pay both their bill and a tip directly with payments routed to the merchant’s account, and tips automatically separated, processed, and distributed through JustTip’s transparent platform

Thu, 04 Sep, 2025

Tourism In Dublin

Services sector growth slows in August as employment hits lowest since 2020

Irish services sector recorded only marginal growth in August, with tourism and leisure dragging jobs to lowest levels since 2020

Wed, 03 Sep, 2025

Blindboy fans turn Limerick's ‘Birdshit District’ into unlikely tourist destination

Blindboy fans turn Limerick's ‘Birdshit District’ into unlikely tourist destination

Blindboy’s nickname for Bedford Row has turned a starling roost — and its messy pavements — into an offbeat Limerick tourist attraction

Thu, 28 Aug, 2025

Aircraft landing at sunrise

Number of tourists coming to Ireland dips slightly in July

Every month so far this year has seen fewer tourists visit Ireland compared to the corresponding month in 2024

Wed, 27 Aug, 2025

Tourist apartments given go-ahead in grounds of historic Kerry castle despite objections

Tourist apartments given go-ahead in grounds of historic Kerry castle despite objections

An Coimisiún Pleanála overruled its inspector to grant permission for seven short-term tourist accommodation apartments at Ballyheigue Castle

Tue, 19 Aug, 2025

Puck Fair: Kerry festival still draws crowds despite animal and drinking controversies

Puck Fair: Kerry festival still draws crowds despite animal and drinking controversies

Despite controversies about animal welfare and late-night drinking, Killoglin's centuries-old goat-centered hooley attracted hordes of revellers yet again this year

Wed, 13 Aug, 2025

Cork tourism boost as first-ever cruise ship stops at Baltimore harbour

Cork tourism boost as first-ever cruise ship stops at Baltimore harbour

Captain Jose Fonseca of Noble Caledonia’s luxurious Island Sky vessel dropped anchor beneath Baltimore's landmark beacon on Thursday

Fri, 08 Aug, 2025

The Arenal beach, crowded in the summer, Javea on the Costa Blanca, Spain

Hot topic: Why bake on the Med when you can have a 'coolcation' at home?

With scorching temperatures and heatwaves increasingly common in southern Europe, many people are opting for cool-weather tourism, a trend Ireland can take full advantage of

Sat, 02 Aug, 2025

Ireland’s most regionally important industry is signalling distress — is Government listening?

Ireland’s most regionally important industry is signalling distress — is Government listening?

Despite signs of strength, tourism leaders warn Ireland’s competitiveness and connectivity are eroding without urgent government support

Thu, 31 Jul, 2025

OPW bans tour guides from wearing green or orange at site of the Battle of the Boyne

OPW bans tour guides from wearing green or orange at site of the Battle of the Boyne

The directive is being communicated directly to new guides by a supervisor at the visitor centre after they have been hired

Tue, 22 Jul, 2025

Discover Ireland's hidden gems with these memorable guided tours

Discover Ireland's hidden gems with these memorable guided tours

There are many ways to explore Ireland, and guided tours offer a unique insight into our culture, history, and landscape. We spoke to three seasoned tour guides to learn what makes a truly memorable experience for visitors and locals alike

Mon, 14 Jul, 2025

The Arenal beach, crowded in the summer, Javea on the Costa Blanca, Spain

'Prices have risen outrageously': Spaniards avoid holiday hotspots overrun by foreign tourists

Spaniards are increasingly taking their holidays in lesser-known destinations, where prices are lower and mass tourism is yet to hit

Mon, 14 Jul, 2025

West Cork island seeks new head teacher — and more children to help keep its school open

West Cork island seeks new head teacher — and more children to help keep its school open

Cape Clear is wooing young families to help boost enrolment at its primary school, while also advertising for a new head teacher as well as a new tourism manager

Sun, 06 Jul, 2025

Inbound tourism drops 10% in May as persistent decline continues

Inbound tourism drops 10% in May as persistent decline continues

About 560,500 foreign visitors completed a trip to Ireland during the month, down 10% compared with May 2024

Mon, 30 Jun, 2025

Beautiful modern hotel room

Hotel lobby quietly backs introduction of a tourist tax, says Fine Gael TD

It has been estimated as much as €12m could be collected each year through the proposed levy

Thu, 19 Jun, 2025

Skellig Michael opening delayed again with tour guides unavailable

Skellig Michael opening delayed again with tour guides unavailable

'After losing so much of the season already, every single day is vital'

Sun, 08 Jun, 2025

England Fans Enjoy Holiday Life In The Algarve

Tourists in Albufeira face fines in crackdown on nudity and drunken behaviour

Penalties of up tp €4,000 for holidaymakers who flout new rules

Sun, 08 Jun, 2025

Shannon Airport's CEO on navigating the current strained transatlantic relations

Shannon Airport's CEO on navigating the current strained transatlantic relations

Despite adding new routes, the Shannon Airport CEO, Mary Considine, tells Emer Walsh that our aviation policy must change

Sat, 07 Jun, 2025

Star Wars filming in Ireland

Skellig Michael delayed boat permits row to be decided this week

A High Court judge has given "top priority" for a case involving the granting of boat permits to ferry people to Skellig Michael.

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Michael Moynihan: Lights, camera, Leeside — why it’s time Cork claimed its place in the film spotlight

S Michael Moynihan: Lights, camera, Leeside — why it’s time Cork claimed its place in the film spotlight

Inspired by Sicily’s screen-fuelled tourism boom, a new Cork film initiative dares to imagine a brighter, bolder future

Thu, 29 May, 2025

Giant’s Causeway being damaged by tourists leaving coins

Giant’s Causeway being damaged by tourists leaving coins

Scores of coins have been left wedged into the cracks of the basalt rock columns of the Giant’s Causeway in north Antrim

Wed, 28 May, 2025

Boats sail out to Skellig Michael in protest to 'urgent threat to tourism'

Boats sail out to Skellig Michael in protest to 'urgent threat to tourism'

Thursday's protest saw the boat operators head from Portmagee to Skellig Michael, circling the island in a bid to drawing attention to the escalating crisis

Thu, 22 May, 2025

'It is the Holy Grail': locals fear for tourism future as Skellig Michael stays shut

S 'It is the Holy Grail': locals fear for tourism future as Skellig Michael stays shut

Tourism operators and business owners across South Kerry warn of major losses as permit dispute delays Skellig Michael's visitor season into next month

Sat, 17 May, 2025

Munster

Skellig Michael: Tourism chiefs plead with OPW to issue temporary boat permits

Unesco World Heritage site may not reopen until June — 'a complete disaster' which risks 'lasting damage to businesses and Ireland’s reputation as a world-class tourism destination'

Sun, 11 May, 2025