 In 2013 6,985,900 overseas tourists visited Ireland, a 7.2% increase over the previous years figure.Under the Short-stay Waiver Programme, anyone from the countries on the list below can travel to Ireland within the time remaining on a current UK visa, without the requirement to obtain an Irish visa, and be granted permission to stay in Ireland up to a maximum of 90 days, or the time left on their UK visa to expire.Citizens of most countries can enter Ireland without a visa, or by the Short-stay Visa Waiver Programme, however citizens of the following countries need a transit visa to even travel through Ireland on their way to another country;
Tourism Ireland was established under the Good Friday Agreement of 1998.