UNIPA News(DUBLIN) May 30 — Visitor arrivals from the United States to Ireland increased significantly in April, with new official data showing a 12% year-on-year rise despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
According to figures released by Ireland’s Central Statistics Office (CSO), 104,300 US residents visited Ireland in April 2026, compared with 93,200 during the same month last year. Combined visitors from the United States and Canada accounted for 21% of all foreign arrivals during the month.
Tourism forecasts indicate the upward trend is expected to continue throughout the summer. Data from Fáilte Ireland shows airline seat capacity from North America is set to increase, with flights from the United States rising by 7% compared with summer 2025. Nearly two million seats will be available on US-Ireland routes this summer, building on record capacity growth achieved last year.
The increase is being supported by expanded Aer Lingus services and the launch of new direct routes connecting Dublin with Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Average weekly flights from the United States to Ireland are expected to rise by 9% to 282.
North American visitors continued to make a significant economic contribution to Ireland’s tourism sector. Although they represented roughly one-fifth of all overseas visitors, they accounted for more than one-third of total visitor spending. Excluding transport fares, North American tourists spent €145 million in April, representing 34% of total visitor expenditure of €431 million.
Overall, Ireland welcomed 564,600 foreign visitors in April, marking a 7% increase compared with April 2025 and a 3% rise from April 2024. Visitors from Great Britain accounted for the largest share at 39%, followed by Continental Europe at 36%, North America at 21%, and the rest of the world at 4%.
Holiday, leisure and recreation travel remained the primary purpose of visits, accounting for 41% of all trips. Visits to friends and relatives represented 36%, while business travel made up 15%.
Hotels remained the most common accommodation choice, with 44% of visitors staying in hotels. A further 39% stayed with family, friends or in their own properties, while 7% used rented or self-catering accommodation.
CSO statistician Edward Duffy said visitor numbers from Great Britain increased by 2% year-on-year, while arrivals from Continental Europe rose by 10% and North America by 14%. Visitor numbers from the rest of the world declined by 1%.
Duffy noted that total visitor expenditure in Ireland increased by 15% compared with April 2025 and was 3% higher than in April 2024. Continental European visitors accounted for €159 million in spending, followed by North America at €145 million, Great Britain at €99 million and the rest of the world at €28 million.
Looking ahead to the summer season, Fáilte Ireland reported that airline seat capacity from Great Britain is expected to increase by 5%, while capacity from France is projected to decline by 5% and Germany by 2%.
