The Tourism Geography of Ireland

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The Tourism Geography of Ireland
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Learning Objectives

• 1.   Demonstrate a knowledge of the main tourist
  regions in the Republic of Ireland and Northern
  Ireland.
• 2.      Understand the distribution and
  importance of tourist resources in the Republic
  of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
• 3.      Recognise the increasing role being
  played by heritage resources and attractions in
  the various regions.
• 4.      Recognise the importance of rural
  resources in Irish tourism.
• 5.      Understand the importance of the major
  cities of the Republic of Ireland and Northern
  Ireland as business and leisure tourism centres.
  
• 6.    Recognise the effect of the peace process
  in bringing about tourism initiatives and a
  unified tourism organisation for the whole of
  Ireland.

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Ireland Introduction

• Geographic Isolation
• Dominantly Rural
• Poor in Natural Resources
• Heritage
• Religion
• Nation building
• Literary/artistic heritage
• Transport
• Ferries
• Regional airports
• Budget airlines

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Ireland Demand

• Irish holiday taking increasing
• Strong economy, budget airlines
• Younger population
• Pilgrimage important
• Domestic tourism strong
• Inbound tourism growing but
• Dependent on Britain
• Dependent on peace process
• Seasonality

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Ireland Supply

• Tourism employs 7 workforce
• Small businesses dominant
• EU assistance important
• Failte Ireland all Ireland promotion

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Ireland Products

• Rural tourism that not only supports the local
  economy and helps to stem depopulation from the
  more remote parts of the country, but also keeps
  alive traditions and handicrafts such as
  embroidery and knitwear
• Activity holidays, including fishing, golf,
  sailing, and horse riding
• Cultural activities based on the theatre, folk
  museums, and international festivals
• Ethnic activities based around the many centres
  of genealogy
• English language schools in competition with the
  UK and
• Culinary activities.

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Dublin and the East (Leinster)

• Dublin
• Population focus
• Tourism gateway
• Dublin Castle
• Architectural heritage
• Literary heritage
• Genealogical office
• The Guinness Storehouse

• The East
• Wicklow Mountains
• Vale of Avoca

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Western Ireland

• Important cultural region
• Galway capital and gateway
• Touring circuits
•   The Great Western Lakes - Corrib, Mask, and
  Caarra - to the north
•  To the west is a superb indented coastline and
  the Connemara Mountains
•   In the south-west, the Aran Islands- famous in
  Irish literature and folklore - can be reached by
  sea or air and
•  In the south are the cliffs of Moher and the
  Burren area of limestone scenery in County Clare,
  which is of great interest to botanists as well
  as geologists. A modern visitor centre interprets
  this heritage, helping to reduce the impacts of
  tourism on these sensitive natural areas.

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The South West

• Attractive Scenery
• Killarney
• Tralee
• Cork, Cobh, Kinsale
• Limerick Shannon

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Northern Ireland Introduction

• Good Transport Links
• Coastal Focus of Tourism
• Belfast
• Northern Ireland Tourist Board

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Northern Ireland Resources

• Belfast
• The North
• Giants Causeway
• Glens of Antrim
• Coastal Scenery
• The West
• Londonderry
• Fermanagh Lakeland
• The South
• Armagh
• Ards Peninsula
• Strangford Lough
• The Border Region