Tánaiste announces Ireland House New York

The Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD, today officially opened Ireland House New York.

Ireland House New York will house the Consulate General of Ireland in New York, Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Tourism Ireland, CIE Tours and The Ireland Funds under one roof, providing a cutting-edge platform to advance Ireland’s interests and values in the North-Eastern US.

The Tánaiste said: “Global Ireland 2025, the Government’s strategy to increase Ireland’s Global impact, contains a commitment to launch a new flagship Ireland House in New York. I am truly delighted to open Ireland House New York, and fulfil that commitment, collocating Ireland’s diplomatic missions, our State Agencies, and other key partners, in one premises. This wonderful facility will contribute significantly to Team Ireland’s ability to work together effectively as we engage with key partner countries, Irish, diaspora and other communities, and key markets.

“I have no doubt that Ireland House New York will serve us well in the years ahead as a hub for diplomacy, trade, business, tourism; promoting Irish food and culture and ensure we can maximise our collective impact in New York.

“I know this location, and its outstanding Team Ireland staff and agencies, will deepen the close and dynamic relationship Ireland has with the city of New York, the region and the United States as a whole.”

During his remarks, the Tánaiste also announced €4.5 million funding to over 140 organisations in the United States who will receive grants this year from the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme.

Speaking after meeting a number of New York based diaspora organisations at the opening of the new Ireland House, the Tánaiste said: “I value the partnership we have with our diaspora -organisations and the role they play in strengthening the ties between Ireland and their local communities.

“I am delighted to announce that we have allocated €4.5 million (US$4.8m) in grant funding to support the work of over 140 organisations throughout the United States. The funding will allow them to continue to supply vital services to out most vulnerable emigrants and to promoting Irish heritage. I also know that many of these organisations rely on committed staff and volunteers to deliver their important programmes. I have met many of the teams over the years and their dedication and resolve is always inspiring.”

Located on the 17th floor of the iconic MetLife building at 200 Park Avenue in midtown Manhattan, Ireland House New York replaced the previous premises of over 30 years at 345 Park Avenue.

Ireland House

There are currently 20 Ireland Houses worldwide: Abu Dhabi, Atlanta, Austin, Beijing, Budapest, Los Angeles, Madrid, Mumbai, New York, Prague, Riyadh, San Francisco, São Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Stockholm, Sydney, Tokyo and Warsaw.

They include integrated diplomatic and State Agency operations in one premises, as well as other arrangements such as separate offices within the same building or desks for locally engaged State Agency staff within a diplomatic mission. With each Ireland House property development project since the adoption of the Global Ireland Strategy, the Department of Foreign Affairs has been actively working with State Agencies and other stakeholders to embrace the concept of sharing and collaboration more fully to collectively deliver on the Government’s policy ambition.

Of these 20 Ireland Houses, a new Ireland House is under construction in Tokyo with expected completion in 2025, a new Ireland House is in the planning stage in Madrid, and new Ireland House premises were developed in Shanghai (completed at the end of 2023), Singapore (completed in June 2024), Stockholm (completed in June 2024) in addition to New York Ireland House.

The first ever Ireland House in Chicago is under construction with expected completion in early 2025.

New Ireland Houses are also planned in Toronto and Milan, with State Agencies and the new recently opened Consulates General working under one roof. Both projects are expected to be completed before the end of 2026.

The development of Ireland Houses in existing and new locations will bring the total number of Ireland Houses to 24 by the end of 2026.

Emigrant Support Programme

Global Ireland: Ireland Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025 sets out what the Government will do over the next five years to support and engage with our diaspora communities around the world. The Emigrant Support Programme remains central to this commitment.

The Department of Foreign Affairs working through Ireland’s embassy network coordinates the provision of support to communities abroad and administers the programme. The main focus for funding under the Emigrant Support Programme remains frontline welfare service providers that support elderly Irish emigrants, and other vulnerable members of our communities worldwide. In more recent years, the programme has also recognised the importance of strong and active Irish communities, funding projects that foster a sense of community, promoting vibrant networks and a sense of Irishness among the Irish abroad.

2024 was the 20th anniversary of the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme and in that time, the fund has allocated over €237 million (US$ 261 million) to support over 850 organisations in 51 countries.

This year’s US allocation includes grants to 32 first time recipient organisations. A key priority of both the Global Ireland strategy and the Diaspora Strategy was to strengthen our engagement with the Irish abroad and these new partnerships with Irish communities arise in the main from the expansion of our diplomatic network across the US.

The Emigrant Support Programme funding year runs from 1 July – 30 June. Further details can be found on ESP recipients

ENDS

Press Office

24 September