Westport and Kinsale have been honoured as Ireland's leading tourism towns.

The Mayo and Cork destinations were chosen from a shortlist of ten in the awards, which are run by Fáilte Ireland.

Westport, in Co Mayo, is the 2014 Large Tourism Town, while Kinsale, in Co Cork, scooped National Small Tourism Town.

The award is based on which towns are doing the most to enhance their appeal to tourists visiting the area. As the winners, Westport and Kinsale will each get a certificate and €5,000 grant towards further developing itself as a tourism destination.

Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring congratulated Westport and Kinsale on winning the 2014 crowns, saying:

“Congratulations to Westport and Kinsale on what is a great achievement and worthy recognition for all that they do for tourism in Ireland.

“These awards are all about honouring the towns that put tourism at the centre of what they do. This is particularly evident with our winners with both towns clearly embracing tourism and seizing the opportunities arising. I would like to commend both winners and all those communities that are represented here today," he said.

The other towns commended by Fáilte Ireland are:

• Ardmore, Waterford
• Carrick on Shannon, Leitrim
• Cobh, Cork
• Glengarriff, Cork
• Kilkenny, Kilkenny
• Killarney, Kerry
• Lismore, Waterford
• Portmagee, Kerry

How do the judges decide?

The judging process comes down to the views of a panel of independent assessors, who visits towns, as well as a team of ‘secret shoppers’. The secret shoppers visit the towns and take in the experience of a regular tourist, measuring the town’s welcome to visitors and what it can offer tourists.

Paul Keeley from Fáilte Ireland said: “A true ‘Tourism Town’ isn’t necessarily a town that gains the most from tourism but rather a town that gives the most. In that respect, Kinsale and Westport are worthy winners this year.”

What won it for Kinsale and Westport?

A Fáilte Ireland spokesperson said of the choice of Westport: “the judges’ first impressions of Westport were that the town was something special, noting the great sense of local energy and pride. The friendliness of the locals was evident and there was no doubt that tourism is the mainstay of the town.”

For Kinsale, the judges noted,“There is a great cosmopolitan feeling in Kinsale coupled with beautiful scenery and narrow streets bursting with history. It would appear that Kinsale has something to offer all demographics and its visitors will leave with lasting impressions and memories.”