Kerry tops Irish holiday poll while Leitrim is ‘least appealing’

Irish people’s favourite county to unwind puts Galway in second place

Kerry has topped the poll as Irish people’s favourite destination for a holiday in a new survey. Making the most of the beautiful weather at O’Carrolls Cove, near Waterville Co Kerry at the start of July. Photograph: Frank Miller /The Irish Times
Kerry has topped the poll as Irish people’s favourite destination for a holiday in a new survey. Making the most of the beautiful weather at O’Carrolls Cove, near Waterville Co Kerry at the start of July. Photograph: Frank Miller /The Irish Times

Kerry has topped the poll as Irish people’s favourite county for a holiday in a new survey.

At 26 per cent of the vote 'The Kingdom' beat Galway, which scored 15 per cent to come in at second place and Cork received 14.5 per cent votes for the third spot on the list.

However, Cork was the the most popular county where people were going to holiday this year at 14.3 per cent, ahead of Kerry at 14 per cent and Galway at 11 per cent.

Leitrim received the most votes for the ‘least appealing county for a holiday’ , following by Laois and Dublin.

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The survey by myhome.ie, which is owned by The Irish Times, was based on the responses of about 1,700 people from May 30th to June 9th this year.

Angela Keegan, managing director, said she hoped the recent good weather would encourage Irish people to holiday in Ireland.

“There was good news for Kilkenny also as it moved into the top ten, up two places from last year, but unfortunately Wicklow is moving in the other direction,” she said.

“Over 40 per cent of respondents believe the recession has led to better in holiday home rental and once domestic visitors arrive, foreign tourists will quickly follow.”

Offaly, Meath, Louth and Armagh did not receive any votes.

What is your favourite county in Ireland to holiday in?

1 Kerry (26 per cent)

2 Galway (15 per cent)

3 Cork (14 per cent)

4 Wexford (8 per cent)

5Donegal (7 per cent)

6 Clare (6.3 per cent)

7 Mayo (5.82 per cent)

8 Dublin (3.1 per cent)

9 Waterford (3 per cent)

10 Kilkenny (2.1 per cent)

11 Sligo (1.5 per cent)

12 Wicklow (1.4 per cent)

13 Cavan (1 per cent)

14 Antrim (0.6 per cent)

15 Down, Leitrim, Limerick and Tipperary (0.5 per cent)

16 Kildare, Westmeath and Roscommon (0.4 per cent)

17 Fermanagh, Laois and Monaghan (0.25 per cent)

18 Carlow, Derry, Longford and Tyrone (0.12 per cent)

19 Armagh, Louth, Meath and Offaly (0 per cent)

Rachel Flaherty

Rachel Flaherty

Rachel Flaherty is Digital Features Editor and journalist with The Irish Times