Brendan Scannell

Retired Ambassador of Ireland to Denmark

In 2015 I closed the door in Copenhagen on my 42-year career with the Department.

I’m happy to report that life does continue post-DFA. I’ve been fortunate myself to avail of new professional opportunities in both the corporate and philanthropic sectors. This has allowed me to put to good use – whether it’s been promoting Ireland as a place to do business or troubleshooting for foreign companies – many of the skills that I developed during my time in the Department.

I originally joined DFA in 1972, as part of the wave of reinforcements that was brought on board at the time of joint British and Irish entry to the European Economic Community. It shows that life really does go around in circles as the Department now beefs up once more to deal with the UK’s exit from that same Community.

It’s also a reminder – despite the changed world in which we live – that our diplomats are still needed now just as they were then. Diplomacy, I suppose, is a bit like the Kerry football team – it never truly goes away.