Hospitality spending surged in border counties last month.
According to AIB's "Spend Trend" for July, Co Monaghan recorded the biggest increase in spending across pubs, restaurants, and hotels.
When compared to June, spending in Monaghan pubs rose by 56%, by far the biggest increase seen across the country.
Month-on-month hotel spending also increased by 59%, the largest increase nationally.
Monaghan also recorded the joint-highest monthly increase in restaurant spending, tied at 15% with Donegal, Leitrim, and Kilkenny.
Co Cavan ranked just behind these counties, with a 14% increase in restaurant spending.
There was also a 34% increase in the amount of money spent in Cavan pubs, as well as a 37% increase in hotel spending in the county.
John Brennan, the Head of SME Banking at AIB, says the increased hospitality spending is the result of "good weather in July, combined with the reopening and increased rollout of the vaccine".
