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A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Ernest Shackleton on board the Endurance in 1914. The Irish Antarctic explorer died on board the Quest in 1922 — now his cabin from that final voyage has been brought back to his birthplace and meticulously restored and is open to visitors. Picture: Frank Hurley/SPRI</p>

comment-analysis

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

<p>The groundbreaking visitor dashboard created by the National Centre for Tourism Policy Studies is focused on the Cliffs of Moher but could be used by other Irish destinations to tailor their offer with real-time consumer information. </p>

economy

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

<p>Last year, construction work commenced on a €100m expansion of the village at Co Longford with the addition of 198 lodges and luxury treehouses, which will increase the resort’s capacity to around 3,500 guests. File photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland</p>

companies

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

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

news

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

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

politics

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

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

economy

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

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

Skellig Michael will not reopen to visitors due to legal challenge by boat operators

Skellig Michael will not reopen to visitors due to legal challenge by boat operators

Iconic 'Star Wars' location and Unesco World Heritage Site cannot open for the 2025 season as three boat operators whose permits were not renewed have taken a legal challenge

Fri, 09 May, 2025

Crosshaven 'may miss out on tourism boost due to inadequate infrastructure'

Crosshaven 'may miss out on tourism boost due to inadequate infrastructure'

Fáilte Ireland's Cork Harbour tourism plan could bypass the seaside town due to an inability to cope with increased visitor numbers

Sun, 04 May, 2025

AerLingus strikes

John Whelan: Airlines feeling the pain of Trump policies

Some of Europe’s largest carriers have warned of a dip in transatlantic bookings

Sun, 04 May, 2025

Fishing Boats in Dingle Bay

Cynthia Ní Mhurchú: 'Restricting Airbnbs will ruin local economies like the Dingle peninsula'

My party plans to restrict short-term lets by requiring planning permission, a process that could cost thousands of jobs in tourism-reliant rural areas

Thu, 01 May, 2025

Visit Ireland: Irish tourist hotspots size up their prospects for the summer of 2025

Visit Ireland: Irish tourist hotspots size up their prospects for the summer of 2025

Despite a sharp early 2025 visitor decline, Ireland’s tourism sector remains upbeat with strong summer bookings forecasted

Sat, 26 Apr, 2025

British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference

Time is not right for a tourism tax – Simon Harris

'I'd be very nervous about it,' said Tánaiste. 'I am conscious of the fact that at the moment tourism is already going through quite a challenging time'

Thu, 24 Apr, 2025

U.S. Customs And Border Protection Symbol

Trump’s America: Irish travellers now wary of US border chaos

Irish travel to the US has dropped sharply amid growing fears over visa rules, phone checks, and border detentions

Sat, 19 Apr, 2025

US Economy Is Set to Lose Billions as Foreign Tourists Stay Away

US economy set to lose billions as foreign tourists stay away

Goldman Sachs estimates in a worst-case scenario, the hit this year from reduced travel and boycotts could amount to almost $90bn

Tue, 15 Apr, 2025

FRANCE-TOURISM-LODGING-AIRBNB

Cabinet delayed strict Airbnb rules due to need for legal 'clarifications', says minister

The proposals will see effective bans on short-term lets in any town of more than 10,000 people

Wed, 09 Apr, 2025

Clare council not planning to 'wield the option' of compulsory purchase of land for Cliffs of Moher walk

Clare council not planning to 'wield the option' of compulsory purchase of land for Cliffs of Moher walk

The report said the Cliffs of Moher coastal walk is privately owned by 36 individual landowners and that 'it can be concluded that the roles and responsibilities in relation to the [coastal walk] are unclear at best and have led to confusion'

Wed, 09 Apr, 2025

CSO denies declining tourism numbers 'at odds' with industry data

CSO denies declining tourism numbers 'at odds' with industry data

CSO findings questioned by groups such as Tourism Ireland and the Restaurants Association of Ireland

Fri, 04 Apr, 2025

Focus on greenways in north and south Kerry leaves other areas 'by the wayside', council told

Focus on greenways in north and south Kerry leaves other areas 'by the wayside', council told

The licensing of beach saunas is to be trialled as part of a pilot scheme, the March meeting of Kerry County Council was told

Mon, 24 Mar, 2025

Balearic Islands announce triple whammy of tax rises for tourists

Balearic Islands announce triple whammy of tax rises for tourists

It follows protests last year over problems associated with mass tourism such as pollution, traffic chaos and lack of affordable housing for locals linked to Airbnb holiday rentals

Fri, 14 Mar, 2025

Donald Trump visit to Ireland

'A childish act': Greens at Donald Trump’s Co Clare golf course dug up

Gardaí said they are investigating 'an incident of criminal damage that occurred at a commercial premises in West Clare'

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Cork city rose to the occasion during covid, but is starting to lose its shine

Cork city rose to the occasion during covid, but is starting to lose its shine

How we use our city and town centres changed a lot during the pandemic — and they haven't fully recovered

Mon, 10 Mar, 2025

Hoteliers grow more pessimistic amid rising costs and falling occupancy

Hoteliers grow more pessimistic amid rising costs and falling occupancy

New IHF survey shows that almost every region in the country experienced a drop of 1% to 3% in occupancy rates during 2024 compared to 2023

Mon, 24 Feb, 2025

How Bantry aims to grasp a €2.5m cruise tourism opportunity

How Bantry aims to grasp a €2.5m cruise tourism opportunity

Ambitious targets will see 30 cruise ships coming to the South-West annually

Sat, 15 Feb, 2025