Consul General

Welcome to the website of the Consulate General of Ireland in Lyon.

Together with Vice-Consul Saoirse Tracy, I am delighted to represent Ireland across the regions of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.

Opened in 2022, the Consulate General of Ireland in Lyon, Ireland's first Consulate General in France, forms part of the Global Ireland initiative and reflects the importance of the relationship between Ireland and France.

The connections between Ireland and our regions are extensive and enduring. They are reflected in longstanding educational partnerships, business links, cultural exchanges and the people to people links that have developed over generations. They are also evident in the vibrant Irish community across our consular area and in the strong political, economic and cultural ties between our two countries.

Since arriving in Lyon in September 2025, we have had the privilege of further strengthening these connections. Over the past year, we have supported Irish participation at major trade fairs and business events, advanced educational partnerships and mobility initiatives, engaged with regional authorities and universities, and celebrated Irish culture through festivals, sporting events and community gatherings.

A highlight of the year was Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin’s St Patrick’s Day visit to the region, which further deepened the political, economic and education links so central to our presence here. The visit highlighted the strength of Ireland's relationships in this part of France, and concluded with a reception hosted by the Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

Amal Kaoua took up her position as Ireland’s Consul General in Lyon in August 2025.

She joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2007 and has worked across a broad range of diplomatic roles, including serving in Embassy Rome and in Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the EU, Brussels. Amal also worked with Save the Children and as Senior Manager for Corporate Affairs with Kerry Group. Amal’s most recent role was Director of the EU Secretariat in Dublin in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s EU and Trade Policy Division.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in French and Economics, a Masters in International Relations and speaks English, French and Italian.