Galway beats Kerry as Ireland’s most popular vacation destination

“Staycations” and good value make Ireland attractive to holiday makers

| Published Tuesday, June 12, 2012, 8:21 AM | Updated Tuesday, June 12, 2012, 8:21 AM

Galway has been voted Ireland’s favorite vacation location, according to the news results of a MyHome.ie survey.

Often referred to as the cultural capital of Ireland, Galway has knocked County Kerry off its 2011 top spot. According to the survey 28 percent of the respondents chose Galway while 23 percent still prefer Kerry. Cork is still in third place with 12 percent. Wexford came in next with seven percent while Donegal and Mayo both won six percent. Coming in as runners-up were Longford, Laois, Offaly, Limerick, Cavan, and Carlow.

The survey also asked the participants where they intended to visit this year. The survey showed that 19 percent planned to visit Galway, 13 percent to Kerry, 11 percent to Cork.

Managing Director of MyHome.ie  Angela Keegan said “It looks as if all roads are leading West this year. Galway is a beautiful county but it also knows how to market itself and events such as the Galway Volvo Ocean Race have really helped to raise its profile while Race week and the Arts Festival keep it up there.”

The results also showed that 78 percent of those surveyed believe that Irish holidays are now better value while 53 percent said holiday home rental prices were better than previous years.

The year 28 percent of Irish are planning a “staycation” while 39 percent will travel abroad.

If you could only travel to one spot in Ireland where would it be?