Number of foreign visitors to Ireland drops, figures show

By Cate McCurry, PA

The number of foreign visitors to Ireland dropped by 10 per cent in May compared to the same month last year, according to new figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

A total of 560,500 people visited the state last month.

The average length of stay for foreign resident overnight visitors was 7.3 nights, up from an average of 7.2 nights in May 2024, and down from 7.8 nights in May 2023.

Over 560,000 foreign visitors to Ireland in May 2025, spending €477 millionhttps://t.co/1g4JAlZLKx#CSOIreland #Ireland #Tourism #Travel #Holidays #LoveIreland #OverseasTravel #AirAndSeaTravel #Aviation #InboundTourism #HouseholdTravel #TravelSurvey pic.twitter.com/WEZSbHbiqP

— Central Statistics Office Ireland (@CSOIreland) June 30, 2025

Visitors stayed a total of 4.1 million nights in the country, a drop of 8 per cent when compared with May 2024, and down 9 per cent when compared with May 2023.

The visitors spent €477 million on their trips, excluding fares, down 21 per cent compared with May 2024, and no change compared with May 2023.

The largest contingent of visitors came from Great Britain at 35 per cent, followed by visitors from the United States at 25 per cent.

The most frequent reason for travelling to Ireland was for a holiday (43 per cent).

Compared with May 2024, visitors from Great Britain declined by 9 per cent, visitors from Continental Europe decreased by 21 per cent, and visitors from the rest of the world fell by 38 per cent.

In contrast, visitors from North America were up 11 per cent.

Compared with May 2023, visitors from Great Britain were down by 1 per cent, Continental Europe by 22 per cent, and the rest of the world by 9 per cent, whilst visitors from North America were up 33 per cent.

Gregg Patrick, statistician in the Tourism and Travel Division, said: “The results show that 560,500 foreign visitors departed Ireland on overseas routes in May 2025, down 10 per cent compared with May 2024 and by 2 per cent compared with May 2023.

“In May 2025, the greatest number of visitors came from Great Britain (35 per cent), followed by Continental Europe (31 per cent), North America (29 per cent) and the Rest of the World (4 per cent).”

The visitors’ expenditure in Ireland, excluding fares, was €477 million.

Visitors from Great Britain accounted for €99 million (21 per cent) of this spend, Continental Europe for €143 million (30 per cent), North America for €207 million (43 per cent), and visitors from the rest of the world for €29 million (6 per cent).

Taken together, this represented a fall of 21 per cent compared with May 2024, and no change compared with May 2023.

The most frequent reason for the journey was for a holiday or leisure (43 per cent). Their second most frequent reason was to visit friends or relatives (31 per cent).

More of the visitors stayed in a hotel (47 per cent) than in any other accommodation type, and the typical visit lasted 7.3 nights.