But few will know it sooner than businesses in the jewel of Ireland’s tourism industry: Killarney in Co Kerry, which is finely geared towards US visitors. As the revelry of the St Patrick’s Day festival fades, Killarney’s fortunes over coming months may be a bellwether for the industry right across Europe.Killarney is a huge attraction for all tourists in Ireland, foreign and domestic.
Earlier in the week, I sat at the bar in Jack C’s pub on Killarney’s High Street and kept an eye out for Americans. Even the bar proprietor’s mother came out to give her view. The US couple seemed simultaneously bewildered and beguiled by it all. They will probably tell their friends and family about their experience in Jack C’s during St Patrick’s week when they return to the US.
How many were there this week, in the run-up to St Patrick’s Day? “Not as many as usual,” he conceded. But he is hopeful the year ahead may yet turn out okay., was in top gear as it sought to capitalise on its recent €8.5 million Push the Green Button marketing campaign to convince US tourists to come to the island., acknowledges the Ukraine war has put some potential US visitors “back on the fence”.
IrishTimes But the horses might.