Two-speed tourism: national dip masks resilient domestic season in Tipperary, but are local results overstated?
Ireland’s tourism industry is finishing 2025 in two very different gears.
Nationally, the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) estimates overseas visitor numbers of 6.16 million, down 6% on 2024, with international visitor spend down 13% to about €5.27bn(excluding fares). ITIC’s year-end review says North America stayed strong, with US visitor numbers up 4% and Canada up 8%, but performance weakened elsewhere, including Britain (-4%), France (-13%) and Germany (-8%). SeeIrish Tourism Review.
It also warns the sector is becoming increasingly exposed by its growing reliance on the North American market.
Yet in the regions, the picture can look more resilient, and Tipperary is certainly a case in point.
A Tipperary County Council “State of the Season” survey, covering months January to September 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, found 74% of participating businesses reported growth or stable performance, with 26% recording a decline.
Accommodation providers were mixed but largely steady, with 66% reporting increased or stable performance, while domestic tourism remained the strongest driver: 72% matched or exceeded domestic occupancy levels from 2024. Attractions and activity providers reported even stronger results, with 82% up or stable on visitor numbers, underpinned by very strong Irish engagement, with 94% reporting domestic growth or stability.
The same report notes a clear behavioural shift: shorter stays and later booking patterns are now entrenched, putting greater emphasis on flexibility, sharp pricing and value-led packages.
So, the question remains, are the Tipperary reports being exaggerated?
It’s a reasonable question, but the most accurate way to frame it is that the Tipperary findings are a pulse survey, not a full census. The report is based on feedback from 67 tourism businesses, meaning outcomes can be influenced by who participated, the mix of respondents (accommodation versus attractions, large versus small operators), and what “growth” means, (revenue, occupancy, footfall or simply sentiment). It’s also notable that ITIC itself flags a broader measurement tension at national level, saying there can be a gap between CSO survey readings and “industry intelligence”, with some business indicators suggesting a flatter year than headline declines imply.
In other words, both things can be true at once: national inbound and spend can be down, while a county with strong domestic engagement, particularly in attractions and activities, can still report a broadly positive season among surveyed operators.
Personally, as a former worker within the industry and a full time resident within Tipperary, I would be slightly worried by the accuracy of some figures provided in relation to the ‘Tipperary Report’ findings.
Wishing all athletes and their families a very Happy Christmas and a healthy 2026.
Basketball training has been moving forward most satisfactorily this season so far. We have huge numbers turning out each week for exercising, ball skills and basketball training.
Well done to each of them and their families and carers for transporting the athletes to every session. We welcomed a group of new volunteers this season and they have blended in very nicely with our existing group.
Thanks to all the volunteers and Mr Martin Hehir, at the Presentation Sports Hall, for their support.
We held our annual Christmas party in Meitheal on Wednesday, December 10th last and a great night was had by all present.
A big thank you to Linda and Meitheal Staff, Mr Paul Scully from Photo Station who looked after the photographs on the night, the volunteers who prepared the gifts and assisted at the party and all the athlete members who danced and sang on the night.
Training resumes on Wednesday January 7th, and in the meantime a very Happy Christmas to everyone associated with Thurles Special Olympics Basketball Club.
Irish, Spanish, Dutch and Slovenian public broadcasters withdraw from Eurovision Song Contest 2026, joining widespread condemnation of violence against journalists.
Four major public-service broadcasters, RTÉ (Ireland), RTVE (Spain), AVROTROS (Netherlands), and RTVSLO (Slovenia), all have announced they will not participate in or broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, following the decision by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to allow participation of Israel.
Simultaneously, mounting concerns about the safety and dignity of journalists reporting from Gaza, including contested claims by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and strong criticism from international press-freedom organisations, further underscore the gravity of the situation.
Broadcasters — Statements of Principle. RTÉ (Ireland): RTÉ has described continuing to broadcast or participate under these circumstances as “unconscionable,” citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and targeted attacks on journalists and civilians.
AVROTROS(Netherlands), RTVE(Spain), RTVSLO(Slovenia): These broadcasters have similarly cited ethical considerations and concerns about legitimacy and fairness in announcing their withdrawal from Eurovision 2026.
Journalists in Gaza – Context & Contested Claims. On 24 March 2025, two Palestinian journalists, Hossam Shabat and Mohammed Mansour, were killed in Gaza by Israeli airstrikes. The IDF later claimed they were operatives of militant groups (Hamas and Islamic Jihad), asserting Shabat had served as a “sniper” for a Hamas battalion. Press-freedom organisations, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), have rejected these claims.
The public funding package for RTÉ amounts to about €725 million over three years, drawn from both TV-licence fees and direct Exchequer support.
The funding model for RTÉ was meant to ensure stability and allow RTÉ to deliver “public service programming and content across television, radio and online services.” Critics might say that Eurovision is (or should be) an entertainment / cultural event, not a political theatre. They may argue taxpayers fund RTÉ, so it can deliver neutral public-service output, not pick international political sides when it comes to entertainment contests.
There remain the risk of alienating parts of the public and undermining “public service” trust. In a diverse society, taxpayers hold a range of views. If RTÉ uses public money to take a politically or ethically loaded position, those who disagree (or who believe Eurovision should remain apolitical fun) may feel their money is being used in ways they don’t agree with. That could erode trust in RTÉ’s neutrality.
Potential precedent creates a slippery slope, when politicising cultural events. If RTÉ withdraws from Eurovision on the basis of foreign policy or humanitarian concerns, what stops future withdrawals or boycotts of other cultural events, when public opinion becomes divided?
Using public money to make those decisions could become contentious. The bailout was, in part, meant to restore RTÉ’s viability, not fund activism. As RTÉ itself argued, the multi-annual funding is “…not a reward for the series of mistakes the organisation has made.” Same funding was pitched as a way to stabilise the broadcaster financially, not to empower political moralising.
In short:Public subsidy doesn’t necessarily mean public mandate for every political stance. Many could argue that Eurovision is outside the remit of core “public service” obligations.
Public opinion in Ireland is likely divided, some will support RTÉ’s stand, others will feel their TV licence money should be used impartially or that Eurovision should remain separate from geopolitics. The withdrawal risks politicising what many see as a cultural, apolitical event, and may alienate those who would prefer RTÉ to remain neutral.
Anyway, one thing that everyone will surely agree; RTE’s TV quality and content has greatly declined.
A senior officer with the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau has warned that children are being groomed and exploited on online gaming platforms, at what he described as an “alarming scale.”
Detective Superintendent Michael Mullen told RTÉ’s Prime Time that Gardaí are now regularly encountering cases of grooming, sexual exploitation and abuse linked to platforms such as Roblox, which is particularly popular among younger children. He said he was “very concerned” about the level of exploitation occurring “on a daily basis.”
Sexual Exploitation and Abuse linked to Childrens Roblox platform, says Senior Detective.
Roblox, which has over 150 million daily users, allows children as young as five years old to set up accounts without age verification or mandatory parental approval. During a Prime Time investigation, test accounts accessed games containing simulated sexual behaviour, dating role-play, racial slurs and suicide references; all prohibited under Roblox’s rules. Gambling-style features and users soliciting the platform’s virtual currency were also identified.
Det Supt Mullen cited cases where Irish children were coerced into buying items for other users and, in some instances, pressured to self-harm. In one case, a nine-year-old seeking virtual currency was targeted by adults demanding explicit acts in return.
Roblox is facing mounting international scrutiny, including legal actions in several US states alleging failures to protect minors. Former Garda and ex-Interpol specialist Mr Mick Moran, now CEO of Hotline.ie, said similar risks exist in Ireland. “Absolutely, children here are being groomed,” he said.
Experts highlighted the ease with which adults and children can interact on the same servers, with Prime Time observing attempts by older users to move minors onto private messaging apps. Researchers, testing Roblox, also reported widespread sexualised behaviour and abusive language.
Roblox says child safety is a “top priority” and that it removed content highlighted by the programme. It will introduce age verification for chat functions in Ireland early next year, though specialists warn that determined predators can still bypass such measures.
Gardaí and online safety advocates emphasised the vital role of parents. They advised parents to set up accounts alongside their children, know the games being played, use parental controls, and reinforce rules around avoiding private chats with strangers.
A Must Watch For Parents. NOTE:Prime Time’s full investigation airs on this evening, November 27th at 9:35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
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