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I am delighted to welcome you to the website of our Embassy which I hope you will find useful and informative. In addition to providing information on the services provided by the Embassy, it is a source of information on Ireland and the United States alike and on the links between our two countries. If you have comments about our website or require further information on Ireland, please contact us.

H.E. Michael Collins, Ambassador of Ireland

Céad Míle Fáilte

Is cúis áthais dom fáilte a chur romhat go dtí láithreán gréasáin na hAmbasáide is tá súil agam go mbeidh sé ina ghléas úsáideach agus eolasach duit. De bhreis ar eolas a thabhairt duit ar sheirbhísí na hAmbasáide, is foinse eolais é ar Éirinn agus ar na Stáit Aontaithe araon agus ar na ceangail idir an dá thír.  Má's maith leat do thuairimí faoi láithreán a chur in iúl dúinn nó má tá tuilleadh eolais uait ar Éirinn, cuir fios orainn.

A.Sh. Michael Collins, Ambasadóir na hÉireann

Latest News

European Union Embassies' Open House

May 11, 2013

Event Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The Delegation of the European Union to the United States and the Embassies of the 27 EU Member States to the United States plus incoming Member State Croatia will open their doors to the Washington public during the EU Embassies’ Open House Day. This annual event is a highlight of the Washington May calendar and is celebrated during Europe Week, Each embassy will open to the public from 10 am until 4 pm on Saturday, May 11, 2013, offering a rare look inside the buildings and providing a unique opportunity to experience the country’s cultural heritage and national traditions.

All of our participating Embassies are located in Northwest Washington, DC, and are easily accessible both on foot or by mass transit.  Special EU Open House shuttle buses will also be servicing stops conveniently located throughout the area.

RSVPs are not required. Entrance to all of the Embassies and the shuttle service is free, although some Embassies may have food or other items for sale.

For security reasons, all visitors aged 16 and over must bring valid photo identification to EU Open House Day. We recommend that guests avoid bringing oversized bags, as all Embassies will conduct security inspections. While you may bring a camera, please be aware that certain Embassies will prohibit  photography.

Fáilte! We hope you can visit our Embassy at 2234 Massachusetts Avenue on Saturday, to experience the best of Irish culture and food!

For more information visit the EU Open House Website.

Tánaiste Welcomes US Immigration Legislation as Good News for Irish in the US

17/04/2013

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade, Eamon Gilmore T.D., has welcomed the publication of a draft Bill for reform of the US immigration system.

The legislation – which was drafted over several months by a bi-partisan group of eight US Senators – includes provisions that would help resolve the plight of thousands of undocumented Irish people who are living illegally in the US.

It also provides for future flows of legal migration between Ireland and the US.

Welcoming the draft legislation, the Tánaiste said:

“This Bill is a very positive development which, if adopted, would help to end the great hardship and uncertainty faced by undocumented Irish in the US and their families here in Ireland.

The inclusion of a new provision to allow several thousand Irish citizens to legally avail of employment opportunities in the US every year is also particularly welcome. 

Both of these issues have been a key focus of my ongoing engagement with political leaders in the US, particularly during my visit to Washington D.C. over St. Patrick’s Day when I discussed them with Ireland’s key friends on Capitol Hill and in the Administration.  

I am conscious that the overall issues involved are complex and sensitive ones within the US political system and that much further debate is likely to be required before the final shape of any overall legislation becomes clear.

I would like at this stage to express on behalf of the Government our deepest appreciation to the bi-partisan group of US Senators who have spearheaded this historic initiative.  The Government will continue to liaise closely with them and other key stakeholders in Congress and throughout the Irish-American community.

This draft Senate Bill is another significant step towards an ultimate outcome that has been long-sought by generations of Irish migrants to the US and their families”.

EU Trade Ministers Meeting in Dublin (17-18 April) – Focus on Transatlantic Trade

As part of Ireland’s current Presidency of the European Union, an Informal Meeting of EU Trade Ministers is taking place in Dublin on 17-18 April under the chairmanship of Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr. Richard Bruton T.D. The meeting will focus on international trade matters, including an EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, and will also be attended by Mr. Mike Froman, US Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs and member of the US National Security Council and National Economic Council. For more details, click here.

Explosions in Boston

• Please call the Embassy at +1 202 462 3939, or the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin at +1 353 1 478 0822  / 408 2000 if you have concerns about Irish relatives or friends.

• The Boston authorities’ helpline number, if worried about family/friends, is 001 617 635 4500.

• Individuals can register themselves as safe or search for loved ones at http://www.redcross.org/find-help/contact-family/register-safe-listing.

• Google have a launched a people finder: http://google.org/personfinder/2013-boston-explosions.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny sends sympathy and support to Boston

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD has tonight sent his sympathy to the Governor, Mayor and the people of Boston:

"On behalf of the Irish people, I am sending our sympathy and support to Mayor Menino and Governor Patrick and to the people of Boston who have been devastated by this senseless and terrible event. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families."

Ends

Statement by the Tánaiste on Boston Marathon

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore T.D., tonight expressed his deepest sympathies to the families of those killed and to those who were injured in the explosions which took place at the end of the Boston Marathon this evening.

"My thoughts are with the people and the authorities in Boston as they continue to deal with this tragic situation", the Tánaiste said. "I know that there were a significant number of Irish participating or involved in the Marathon, and my Department - in particular the Irish Consulate in Boston -  is doing all that it can to make contact with our nationals to check on their situation.  So far, fortunately, all have been safely accounted for.  However, the situation is still developing and I would ask any family who may be concerned for loved ones that they have not heard from and who might have been present in the area to contact my Department at 01-408 2000."

END

Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad - 2013 Nominations

Nominations are now invited for the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad 2013. The closing date for return of nominations to the Embassy or your nearest Irish US Consulate is Monday April 22^nd. For more information and a copy of the downloadable nomination form, click here.

Irish Constitutional Convention Calls on the Diaspora

On the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution by the people of Ireland, a Convention on the Constitution has been established to submit recommendations to the Houses of the Oireachtas on changes to make the constitution more relevant to the Ireland of the 21st Century.

Comprising 100 members – 66 citizens, 33 all-island parliamentarians and an independent Chairman – the Convention will consider eight topics during 2013, ranging from making a provision for same-sex marriage to giving citizens resident outside the State the right to vote in presidential elections. 

The Chairman of the Convention on the Constitution, Tom Arnold (former CEO of Concern Worldwide) invites Irish citizens resident abroad to express their views on future Constitutional change:

“It is really important that we hear from Irish people where ever they are located. They will bring a valuable perspective to our deliberations and the Convention looks forward to hearing from them”.

Irish citizens living and working abroad are being encouraged to participate in what is an historic initiative in deliberative democracy. The Government has undertaken to respond, by way of Oireachtas debate, to each Convention recommendation within four months and if it agrees with a particular recommendation for change, to give a timeframe for a referendum.

The Convention’s plenary meetings are streamed live on the website and include views expressed via social media platforms. Details, including how to make a submission are available at www.constitution.ie

Visits by Taoiseach and Tánaiste and Government Ministers to United States for St. Patrick’s Day 2013

The Taoiseach Mr. Enda Kenny and the Tánaiste Mr. Eamon Gilmore travelled to Washington DC on March 18-20 as guests of President Obama at the White House as part of an extensive St. Patrick’s Day Programme. While in Washington, the Taoiseach and Tánaiste also attended the traditional Friends of Ireland lunch hosted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill and a breakfast meeting with Vice President Biden, as well as participating in a number of meetings with political and business leaders and the Irish-American community.

The main focus of the Taoiseach and Tánaiste’s US visit was to highlight the very significant progress made towards Ireland’s economic recovery and in particular Ireland’s improved competitiveness in the two years since the Government took office. Ireland’s strengths as a location for foreign direct investment and overseas visitors and those of Irish companies as a source of high quality products and services were also highlighted.

Ahead of his visit to Washington DC, the Taoiseach travelled to New York over the previous weekend (March 16-17) where he attended the St. Patrick’s Day parade and related celebrations. He also visited The Rockaways area in Queens which was ravaged by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 and met with Mayor Bloomberg in New York.

The Taoiseach’s US programme also included visits to Los Angeles, Silicon Valley and Seattle on the West Coast where he held a series of meetings with existing and potential corporate investors in Ireland as well as indigenous Irish companies operating in the US. While In Los Angeles, he also highlighted opportunities to attract further film investment to Ireland.

The Tánaiste’s US programme began on March 14 in Atlanta, Georgia, where he hosted an ‘Invest in Ireland’ business forum for IDA client and target companies. While there, he also briefed senior management from Coca-Cola and UPS - both major Irish employers - on recent positive economic developments in Ireland, promoted ‘The Gathering’ at an event with Delta Airlines and visited Georgia Tech (University) to discuss collaboration with Irish third-level institutions and researchers. 

The Tánaiste conducted a cultural programme in New Orleans on St. Patrick’s Day where he met with a newly-established network of Irish-born professionals and delivered a keynote address to the Hibernian Society.

On Monday March 18^th, the Tánaiste’s Washington D.C. programme included a bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry during which they discussed the situation in Northern Ireland, US immigration reform, plans for an EU-US Trade Agreement and international issues including the ongoing crisis in Syria. Meetings with other key members of Congress on the issue of US immigration reform and undocumented Irish people in the US also took place.

Other Government Ministers with trade, investment and tourism-focused programmes in the US over the St. Patrick’s Day period were Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte (New York & Pittsburgh), Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan (Boston), Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton (Chicago) and Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport Alan Kelly (Newark, NJ).  More information on the Government’s "Promote Ireland" St. Patrick's Day 2013 programme is available here.

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St Patricks Day greetings  from the President Michael D. Higgins

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US Embassy Dublin has produced a video that looks at the history of St. Patrick’s Day at the White House.  

Happy St. Patrick’s day!

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US Visit by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD

On Tuesday March 5th, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr. Richard Bruton T.D., commenced a 4-day trade mission of 40 innovative exporting Irish companies to Texas. The Minister’s programme comprised over 20 trade events and meetings in Houston, Dallas and Austin (including at the SXSW trade show), as well as holding meetings with multinational companies already investing or considering investing in Ireland. Further details are available here.

Minister Bruton subsequently travelled to Washington DC where he met senior figures from President Obama's administration as part of a drive to achieve progress on a new EU-US Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership Agreement during the Irish Presidency of the EU – click here for more information. 

Irish EU Presidency

Ireland assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1st January. For information about our Presidency, please see www.eu2013.ie, or follow us on Twitter @eu2013ie.