COLUMN: Why we should make holidaying at home fashionable again! - Kilkenny Live

With June coming to a close and the summer in full swing, many Kilkenny travellers are weighing up their potential holiday options.

Thankfully, despite some families in our society facing economic or social challenges, many local people now have the luxury of booking a holiday once if not numerous times each year.

Albufeira, New York, Rome and so many other holiday destinations roll off the tongue as locations of choice, with people eager to jet off to ‘more attractive’ spots.

But, as people throw hundreds of euros at airline companies and accommodation providers abroad, it it not time to consider investing in the trips we crave so much, that we so willingly forget are available on our own doorstep? Apparently not...

The Covid-19 pandemic served up many challenges for families across the country, milestone family events cancelled, the lonely and most vulnerable left even more isolated and local business was hit by arguably the cruelist and most uncertain economic period for generations.

PICTURES: Kilkenny GAA club begin construction of new development

But, strange as it may seem, those two years of significant uncertainty and for so many, great family tragedy, did offer some glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, the best traits in the human race were alive and well.
From checking in with neighbours to making sure older people were in good health, the selfless nature that lies somewhere deep inside most of us came out in force during those dark days.

Those treacherous times also shone a glazing sunlight on the locations and little gems we had for so long taken for granted.
As restrictions slowly lifted and we walked, and walked, and walked some more! Landmarks such as Kilkenny Castle, The Black Abbey, St Canice’’s Cathedral and many more historical beauties became more appreciated for what they are.

The realisation that 'we haven’t got it too bad, have we?' suddenly began to register with people?

Similar thoughts crossed people’s minds as holidaying in Ireland became available to them once more. The Cliffs of Moher, strolling the County Kerry coast or taking in the character and sights of Galway City became the best thing than sliced bread. Well, it was before Covid-19, and guess what? It still is...

In 2024, 429,546 visitors made Kilkenny their holiday destination of choice, be it short or long term, while nationally, 6.6 million visited the Emerald Isle. That’s over 1.5 million more than the entire population of the whole island of Ireland. They all can’t be wrong? So, the urge to leave time after time is bewildering.

Of course, seeing the world is important and we should all be encouraged to experience the world, warts and all! But, as one local woman revealed in conversation, she has scheduled three trips to the US this year. That equals her number of visits to Carlow, which is 20 miles away.

As a nation, we need to embrace our own culture and offering if we are to expect an international audience to keep pulling home Noreside.

But, more importantly, while the 'staycation' trend is far from dead, one wonders how prosperous our tourism industry would be if we as Irish people went to further lengths to support our own.

Shopping local is imperative in order to keep the heartbeat of our local economy going.

For much of our hospitality sector, tourism is a vital artery but without local buy in, many simply won’t survive. Hoping a bus load of Japanese tourists may just walk through your door is not sustainable. After all, they may know of the quality on offer, as locals we should know.

It’s also important to note the stress of airports, loss of baggage and so many other obstacles that comes with travelling abroad are all eradicated when staying at home. The very part of our lives designed to remove stress heightens it. Why repeat that over and over while ignoring the beauty on your doorstep?

Exploring Ireland from top to bottom, will open your eyes to new accents, cultures and even beliefs, all without the need of a passport and often in the comfort of your own car, with the family you love and at times hate so well.

So, this summer, when mulling over where to go. Consider visiting new places, just around the corner.

'Laethanta saoire sa bhaile'.

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE