Top ten most popular counties in Ireland for travellers

ihirish, Ireland is a beautiful spot and most people Ive met there have been pleasant industrious people, before you go check up a little on local customs, and enjoy your vacation. Be a ware of some posters on Irish central that have a problem with tourists and are a bit depressing to read, don't let them get you down they are a minority. Dingle peninsula in Kerry always nice, The west coast of Cork is littered with nice harbor towns-Kinsale,skibbereen,baltimore,bantrybay. My advise is not to cram too many things to see into too little time, if you find a spot you like stay an extra day and relax.

While obviously these lists represent one person's opinion, and therefore are not a matter of right and wrong, for the benefit of those who don't know Ireland I would strike out Kilkenny and Offaly. There's almost nothing worthwhile in the former, while apart from Clonmacnoise, Offaly is a bore. I would also dump Cork. I accept that there are a few pretty places in Cork, Kinsale and Glengariff for example, but given how large that county is, it really isn't worthwhile to put Cork in this list. Huge areas of Cork are B-O-R-I-N-G and not worth seeing. Instead I would recommend Mayo, Fermanagh and Sligo.

And what about Ireland's hidden gem -- unspoiled Lovely Leitrim with its mountains, hills, valleys, 110 lakes, Glencar Waterfall, River Shannon and the cosmopolitan county seat of Carrick-on-Shannon?

Each of the 32 counties has special and uniqueness -- that is what makes Ireland such a wonderful country.

As the son of a Mayoman, I have to agree with others that Mayo should be on the list in place of another. Westport, Cong (home of Ashford Castle and Quiet Man filming), Clare Island of Pirate Queen Grace O'Malley fame, Achill Island, Croagh Patrick, Ballintubber Abbey, Ceidhe Fields, numerous prehistoric and medieval sights, great golf and fishing, breathtaking coastlines, etc etc. Also, I was surprised how Kerry was understated as a tourist destination. County Kerry is probably the oldest favorite tourist destination in Ireland. And how can you describe tourism in Kerry without one mention of the Lakes of Killarney, again one of the oldest tourist destinations in Ireland?

was in ireland in november- what a great time it was magical, would like to retire there

I LOVE everything Irish! I am tickled to get to read your news & do so daily! I hope to come within the year!!

No Mayo, are you people for real. If this is scietific research please state your sources. No way Mayo is not in the top ten visited counties!!! As for Donegal, remember McClory's pub Culdaff, Donegal.

I misinterpreted the headline of this story. I was thinking of those who collect scrap metal, tarmac peoples drives and live in Transit vans. 'Tourists' would be a better word.

No Mention of Sligo in there and it probably has more to offer than most of the counties mentioned. Had a good laugh to see Offally and Kilkenny in there LOL. Check your research again writer--The Yeats country should have been mentioned

A generally good list, though I agree Mayo should be included and dropping one of the others. There are a couple of errors on the Cork section. There is no Cobh Harbor - Cobh is located in Cork Harbour. The Lusitnia never visited and it was actually torpedoed off the Old Head of Kinsale and not in the harbour itself... apart from that,good article

I am with George: this really is NOT a good list!

Correct me if I missed it, but is Mayo missing from the list? Ludicrous. And Kilkenny is included? Ridiculous, Kilkenny is quite broing, except for the southern tip down near Waterford. Meath shouldn't be in the list either, if only to punish them for driving a turnpike thru the heart of Royal Tara. I have resolved never again to spend a cent in Meath and so far I have kept my word. And there's no room in the list for hidden gems? West Cavan, for example? Carlow, around Mount Leinster? North Westmeath, around Fore? Pretty poor IrishCentral list, I say.