The number of overseas trips to Ireland increased 8.6% in the first quarter of this year on the same period last year, according to new official figures.
The figures from the CSO show that there were 1,177,600 trips to Ireland in the first three months of 2011, an overall increase of 92,800 compared with the same period last year.
However, the 2011 Q1 figure is still substantially lower than the corresponding 2008 and 2009 figures of 1,542,200 and 1,402,200, respectively.
Of those who travelled to Ireland, almost 50% were resident in Britain (564,300). US and Canadian residents made up the second largest number (153,600).
The US and Canada figures for the first quarter of 2011 increased 11.7% on the same quarter last year (137,300).
Trips to Ireland from residents of Britain rose 7.2% on the 2010 Q1 figure.
The number of Irish residents travelling abroad in the same period fell 11.7% on the first quarter of last year, down from 1,439,200 to 1,270,100, as economic difficulties continued to have an effect.
The 2010 Q1 figure was itself a drop on the 2009 Q1 figure of 1,539,800.
The CSO figures are based on the Country of Residence Survey, which is conducted at Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Knock and Kerry airports and Rosslare, Ringaskiddy, Dún Laoghaire and Dublin ports.
Tourism Ireland welcomed the increase in visitors to Ireland, and said the tourism industry was well placed for recovery.
'After a number of difficult years for tourism, I believe the industry is now poised for a return to growth,' said Tourism Ireland chief executive.
'2011 will be a turning point for tourism to the island of Ireland and today's figures are a really encouraging basis on which Tourism Ireland will build.'
