Australia and New Zealand have driven record growth this year from Ireland’s long-haul markets .
Figures for the period July to September reveal an additional 326,000 overseas visitors.
Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: "We are seeing record growth this year from our long-haul markets (+24.5%) with Australia and New Zealand (+22.5%) in particular driving that growth.
"We have a really extensive programme in place between now and the end of the year, targeting late-season travellers around the world, to keep this momentum going."
As the UK’s City of Culture 2013, Derry-Londonderry will host The Turner Prize, the UK’s most prestigious award for the visual and contemporary arts, from October 23 to January 5, 2014.
This is the first time the prize has been held outside England and the second time it has been shown at a venue other than the Tate in London.
Diane Butler, manager Australia & New Zealand, Tourism Ireland, said next year is poised to be "just as big" with the Wild Atlantic Way officially opening in March.
Other events include Giro d’Italia Big Start in Belfast in May, the World Flower Show and Bloom in Dublin in June and Waterford’s 1100th anniversary
