It’s more than just a funny poem, it’s an Irish travel destination that will continue rising in popularity in 2014, according to the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation’s Chief Executive, Eamonn McKeon. After reviewing the numbers for 2013—seven million foreign visitors resulting in a six percent increase nationally—he is confident Limerick and the Midwest region will bring in even more vacationers in the new year.

While Dublin remains at the top of the list for visitors to Ireland, ITIC believes they will see an increase in the number of travelers to Limerick and Shannon, as well as other areas of the country in 2013, though the exact figures will not be out for another few weeks. We do know over one million Americans went to Ireland last year, as well as 2.9 million from Britain.  

Separating Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport, re-opening King John’s Castle, and including Limerick and Clare into local events like Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way has, and will continue to, attribute to the surge of tourists in these cities. “I expect the numbers will increase in 2014 and with the improved road network that now it is easy to get to places in Limerick and Clare,” McKeon said.

With Limerick named a national ‘City of Culture’ in 2014, events and festivities in its honor are expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors. While McKeon believes most will be coming in from other parts of Ireland, it will ultimately help lure in international travelers in the future. He told local newspaper Limerick Leader, “It will principally attract domestic visitors but it will put Limerick on the map and with the good publicity, you should see the benefit in 2015 and 2016.”