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20th Aug 2018

New survey reveals the best counties in Ireland for sights, food, people and the sesh

Dave Hanratty

Best county Ireland session

How did your county fare, then?

The people have spoken.

Well, 1,000 of them, anyway. New research has revealed the very best counties in Ireland for various fun and frolics, with Kerry and Dublin leading the way for the most part.

The data comes from hotel group Jurys Inn, who have marked 25 years of business with a good old-fashioned survey, asking Irish people to rate their favourite counties in accordance with their most winning traits.

Kerry takes pride of place for most beautiful scenery, as well as apparently being the best place for a general escape, and an excellent spot for all the family.

Galway, meanwhile, receives top honours in the all-important ‘Best for the Sesh’ stakes, while Galwegians take the ‘most fun to hang out with’ crown.

The capital, meanwhile, was overwhelmingly voted the top shopping destination in Ireland, with Dublin also recognised for its many dining options and for being the best place in which to meet new people.

Elsewhere, Cork finally gets a shout-out for ‘Best Guests’ which they’ll only be thrilled with.

The full breakdown looks like this:

  • Best for the Sesh – Galway (29%)
  • Most Beautiful Scenery – Kerry (43%)
  • Best Guests – Corkonians (16%)
  • Top Shopping Destination – Dublin (77%)
  • Best for Dining Out – Dublin (45%)
  • Most fun to hang out with – Galwegians (24%)
  • Best to escape to – Kerry (32%)
  • Best for Families – Kerry (21%)
  • Best Place to Meet New People – Dublin (53%)

Outside of the Emerald Isle, a third of Irish people plumped for Great Britain for that coveted session honour, with Australia not far behind on 28%.

Tourists from the USA (21%), Canada (16%) and Australia (14%) are judged to be the best guests when visiting Irish shores, with the Aussies thought to be the most fun to hang out with, taking 30% of the vote.

Suzanne Cannon, Head of Marketing at Jury’s Inn, noted:

“Ireland is fortunate to spend most of the year in the great company of international visitors who visit to enjoy everything the country has to offer.

“We’re thrilled to be celebrating the vibrant personality of the Irish, a unique trait that has made our 25 years of hosting and welcoming guests from here and abroad truly special.”

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