Mayo enjoyed bumper tourism season

It has been a bumper summer season for tourism in Mayo.

Westport hotelier Darren Madden, of the Clew Bay Hotel, said business was brisk in the tourist town.

“In terms of numbers it has been very positive around Westport. There are plenty of tourists around.

Mr Madden said while there has not been a decline in visitor numbers there has been a drop off in the family market. He said concerns about cost and holidays abroad may be a factor in this trend.

“Plenty of Americans, plenty of Irish visitors but definitely less families,” he reported.

He said rising costs remain a challenge for the hospitality sector.

“When you look at the food and beverage side of the business, people are definitely seeing an increase in costs. That’s the challenge we have. Trying to make that equation work,” Darren added.

Soaring temperatures in traditional European holiday hotspots have seen some tourists holiday at home and has also attracted foreign visitors looking to escape the heat.

“People of a certain age are definitely deciding to stay at home rather than some of these hotter climates,” said Mr Madden. “It’s definitely having a real impact and a real change. I have people coming to Westport from Florida to get away from the heat. That is real and Ireland can capitalise on that that,” he added.

Mr Madden said the tourist trade in the county has been blessed this year with “nearly the perfect summer weather wise".

Mairead Melody-Carr, of Mayo North Tourism, said festival season in the region has been really embraced in 2025.

“North Mayo seems to be doing really well. Festivals have definitely been a big driver, such as the Salmon Festival in Ballina, Belmullet Festival, etc. When I was in Belmullet, they said it was their busiest festival yet. Five full days of sunshine definitely helped and the place was hopping."

Ms Melody-Carr said there remains challenges for the region and tourism in the whole country.

“The challenges are still there for definite, but staycations are still popular. People are very conscious of value and when you look at North Mayo you have the likes of the Céide Fields, which is very inexpensive to visit, Ballycroy Visitor Centre which is free, and all the amazing scenery which you can visit, cycle or walk.” 

Ms Melody-Carr also believes Ireland’s more temperate climate will attract visitors in the height of summer.

“People know that they can come here and know it will be cooler. People making decision based on climate is going to be really relevant. That’s even the case in terms of staycations because you aren’t going to chance booking a holiday in Spain where the temperature is 40 degrees.” 

She said the future appears bright for North Mayo which is to feature in a Fáilte Ireland Destination Plan.

“What will that do is to help develop more experience-based tourism in North Mayo,” she explained.