Top tourism executives are hoping that Real Madrid’s imminent visit to the Irish Republic will be a huge boost to the islands attractiveness as a holiday, tourism and sporting destination.

Head of the Spanish branch of Tourism Ireland, Barbara Wood, has said what an amazing coup it is that one of the world’s biggest football clubs is choosing to hold a training camp in Ireland.

“We have put a busy promotional programme in place, to capitalise on the wonderful exposure offered by this visit," says Ms Woods. "Spain is an important market for tourism to the island of Ireland, last year delivering 262,000 visitors."

The increase in numbers is likely to bring in much revenue to the country too, as they fork out for rental cars, 5 star hotels, and top-notch restaurants- a happy time for the Irish economy.