THE volcanic ash crisis  was the principal cause of a 25pc drop in visitors to Ireland during April.

The European and American markets were worst hit with a 36pc and 33pc slump in visits respectively, whereas visits from Britain, which has been the worst hit earliert in the year, were down by 14pc, as many travellers from the UK were still able to get here by ferry.

Inbound tourism remains in the doldrums with a 23pc drop in visitor numbers for the year so far. Tourism Minister Mary Hanafin said it should still be noted that 1.5 million tourists had come here in the first four months of the year.

People were booking holidays later than ever before and with more than 60pc of holidaymakers arriving between May and September, Tourism Ireland was running an intensive €20m marketing campaign in Britain, the US, Germany and France, she said.