Ireland Tourism News
NYE Dublin festival to mark official beginning of ‘The Gathering Ireland’
The Gathering Ireland 2013, a year-long celebration of all things Irish, will kick off in style with the NYE Dublin Festival on the 31st of December 2012 and the 1st of January 2013.
Fáilte Ireland: Two new trails to attract more visitors
A new Kilkenny Culture Trail has just been launched extending the availability of the city’s cultural entertainment offerings such as heritage venues, theatres, sporting events and food and drink, over the next few months.
Minister Foster meets Tourism Ireland Board in Belfast
Tourism Minister Arlene Foster MLA met with the board members of Tourism Ireland in Belfast last week, ahead of the organisation’s October board meeting. Tourism Ireland’s remit is to promote Northern Ireland across the world, this year focusing primarily on the four main tourism markets of Great Britain, North America, France and Germany.
Irish PM recognises critical role of tourism in economic recovery
Taoiseach Enda Kenny, prime minister of Ireland, has joined the World Travel &Tourism Council/UN World Tourism Organisation sponsored Global Leaders for Tourism Campaign. Speaking at the Global Irish Economic Forum he said: “Tourism is playing a critical role in Ireland’s economic recovery.”
Majestic tall ships sail Into Ireland’s party of the Year
The Irish will welcome over 50 majestic Tall Ships from 12 countries, some 1,400 sail trainees and an anticipated 500,000 maritime, music and festival fans to the quays of Waterford City this weekend for the biggest party of 2011.
Tourism Ireland to reap from Obama visit
Tourism Ireland has ramped up its US marketing campaign to coincide with President Barack Obama’s visit to Ireland, which is expected to generate huge publicity in the US. Hundreds of international journalists have been accredited as part of the visit, with Tourism Ireland using the visit to leverage awareness in the US.
Queen ends Ireland visit with tourism focus
The Queen has concluded her state visit to Ireland by visiting two of the country’s most popular tourist sites, the Rock of Cashel, followed by Cork’s historic market. The first two days of her visit focused on the “troubled past” between Britain and Ireland, and she offered her sympathy to those who had suffered during the conflict.
Ireland cuts air travel tax to boost tourism
Republic of Ireland finance minister Michael Noonan has confirmed the controversial €3 air travel tax will be abolished. Noonan said VAT on restaurants, hotels, cinemas, theatres, sports fixtures and other attractions would also be cut from 13.5 per cent to nine per cent as the nation sought to boost tourism receipts.
Tourism Ireland launches online game
Tourism Ireland is the first national tourism board in the world to launch a social game. It taps into the huge popularity of games like FarmVille and CityVille. Ireland Town will sit on Tourism Ireland’s Facebook pages.
UK government urged to cut air passenger duty
Airport operator BAA has urged the British government to follow the lead of Ireland and rescind recent increases in air passenger duty. Yesterday the Irish government announced it would cut its Air Travel Tax to €3 from its current rate of €10 despite the ongoing financial crisis.
Terminal 2 opens at Dublin Airport to bailout background
Dublin Airport welcomed the opening of Terminal 2 over the weekend, but what was once a monument to Irish prosperity is in danger of becoming a symbol of economic overreach. At its peak the project was the largest construction site in the state, employing up to 2,600 workers on site. But many of these jobs have been lost, in line with thousands more across Ireland as the recession bites.
Stena Line confirms new Scottish port
Swedish ferry operator Stena Line has confirmed it is to invest approximately £200m in a new ferry port in Scotland. The Loch Ryan port will occupy a 28-acre site two miles north of Cairnryan, following the Scottish parliament’s decision to grant a Harbour Empowerment Order (HEO) allowing construction.