Galway has toppled Kerry as the favourite holiday destination for Irish holidaymakers according to a new survey.
Twenty eight per cent of respondents voted for Galway with Kerry left trailing in its wake on 23 . The result marks a startling reversal for the ‘Kingdom’ which last year recorded 24 per cent of the vote and enjoyed a comfortable lead over Galway on 17 per cent.Cork maintained its third position on 12 per cent, with Wexford on 7 per cent. Donegal and Mayo on 6 per cent and Clare on 5 per cent made up the top six. Dublin came 7th on 3 per cent However when asked ‘what is the least appealing county for a holiday’, Dublin received the most votes indicating that trips to the capital generate a lot of mixed feelings. Dublin was followed by Longford and Laois, while Offaly, Limerick, Cavan, Leitrim and Carlow were other counties which proved unattractive to holidaymakers.
Kathryn Thomas is currently fronting a radio campaign aimed at encouraging people to visit Carlow, but this survey would indicate the County has a challenge on its hands with less than 1 per cent of respondents saying they plan to visit the County this year.
The survey of over 2,000 people showed a strong correlation between people’s favourite counties and the counties they intend to holiday in this year. Not surprisingly Galway came out top again in this question on 19 per cent, Kerry came in second on 13 per cent and Cork fell from second to third on 11 per cent. Wexford was on 8 per cent while Donegal came in on 7 per cent. Other counties to score well were Mayo and Clare on 6 per cent, while Dublin was next on 4 per cent.
According to the survey few people are planning trips to counties like Louth, Longford, Offaly and Monaghan while the numbers planning trips to Northern Ireland are also very low.
Angela Keegan, Managing Director of MyHome.ie who carried out the poll, said she was surprised at the reversal of fortunes at the top of the table. ‘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. I would imagine that ease of access via the motorway is also a factor in its rise to the top’
Overall the survey indicated 28 per cent of Irish people would be holidaying at home this year while 39 per cent would be going abroad. When asked what issues put them off travelling abroad, 25 per cent of respondents cited baggage charges, 17 per cent pointed to security checks while 6 per cent said packing.
Just over half, 52 per cent said their holiday would be a week or less, 39 per cent said it would be between 8 to 14 days and a lucky 9 per cent said their holiday would last 15 days or more.
If searching for a holiday home or apartment, 86 per cent said they would use the internet.
