Ireland’s tourism and travel rebound continued in April 2026, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The latest monthly bulletin shows that 564,600 non-resident visitors departed Ireland during the month—7% more than in April 2025 and 3% above pre-pandemic 2024 levels. Visitor spending rose even faster, jumping 15% year-on-year to €431 million.
![CSO: April foreign visitor numbers up 7 per cent as business trips rebound]()
Amid this rebound, many prospective visitors still need to tackle visa or ETA formalities. VisaHQ can streamline that process by offering real-time entry requirement checks, step-by-step online applications, and courier support—see https://www.visahq.com/ireland/ for a quick head start.
Great Britain remained the dominant source market, accounting for 39% of arrivals, followed by Continental Europe (36%) and North America (21%). The average length of stay nudged up to 6.9 nights. Notably, the share of trips undertaken for business reached 15%, signalling a steady recovery in corporate mobility alongside leisure demand. For companies managing travel budgets the figures matter: higher spending and longer stays will translate into bigger accommodation and per-diem outlays, especially as hotel rates in Dublin remain elevated. Travel managers may wish to lock in corporate rates ahead of the autumn conference season. From a policy perspective, the data bolsters the government’s case for continued investment in border processing technology—such as the upgraded e-Gates unveiled at Dublin Airport last week—and supports Transport for Ireland’s decision to run additional inter-city trains over the June bank-holiday weekend. Analysts also point out that a sustained uptick in North American traffic will place extra pressure on U.S. Pre-clearance facilities at Dublin and Shannon, areas already flagged for staffing increases.
Amid this rebound, many prospective visitors still need to tackle visa or ETA formalities. VisaHQ can streamline that process by offering real-time entry requirement checks, step-by-step online applications, and courier support—see https://www.visahq.com/ireland/ for a quick head start.
Great Britain remained the dominant source market, accounting for 39% of arrivals, followed by Continental Europe (36%) and North America (21%). The average length of stay nudged up to 6.9 nights. Notably, the share of trips undertaken for business reached 15%, signalling a steady recovery in corporate mobility alongside leisure demand. For companies managing travel budgets the figures matter: higher spending and longer stays will translate into bigger accommodation and per-diem outlays, especially as hotel rates in Dublin remain elevated. Travel managers may wish to lock in corporate rates ahead of the autumn conference season. From a policy perspective, the data bolsters the government’s case for continued investment in border processing technology—such as the upgraded e-Gates unveiled at Dublin Airport last week—and supports Transport for Ireland’s decision to run additional inter-city trains over the June bank-holiday weekend. Analysts also point out that a sustained uptick in North American traffic will place extra pressure on U.S. Pre-clearance facilities at Dublin and Shannon, areas already flagged for staffing increases.
