Ambassador of Ireland to Italy

Ambassador Elizabeth McCullough is accredited to the Republic of Italy, the Republic of San Marino, and the UN Rome-based Agencies – the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD).

Message from Ambassador McCullough

Fáilte, Welcome, Benvenuti, to our website!

I am deeply honoured to serve as Ambassador to Italy, since presenting my credentials to President Mattarella in November 2025. The relationship between Italy and Ireland is strong and vibrant, and there has always been an affinity between our two peoples. Our histories and cultures are interwoven, and the many links have deep and enduring roots. The Embassy is based in the Villa Spada, which played a seminal role in the tumultuous events leading to the unification of Italy, while two of Ireland’s most famous historical figures, Hugh O’Neill and Rory O’Donnell, have their final resting place in the nearby Church of San Pietro in Montorio.

Today, Ireland and Italy are close partners in the European Union. We share a commitment to building a strong future for Europe based on our shared values and principles. Working closely with my colleagues, my priority is to advance Ireland’s interests in Italy, further strengthen the close relationship we have with this important EU member state, and of course support Irish citizens living here.

The strong tourism traffic in both directions and the natural empathy between the Irish and Italian peoples provide a very positive context for this work. Many young Italians also study English in Ireland while others gain valuable work experience there. We have a strong interest in each other’s cultures and a shared enthusiasm for sport, and our longstanding friendship enhances every aspect of our work.

Trade and investment links between Ireland and Italy are already strong and continue to grow year on year. The Embassy, in partnership with our Consulate General in Milan, works closely with colleagues in Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia (the Irish Food Board) and Tourism Ireland based in Milan, as well as with the IDA, Ireland’s investment agency, to advance the economic relationship between our two countries.

Our consular work and our engagement with the Irish community in Italy is facilitated by the Embassy in Rome and Consulate General in Milan, supported by our Honorary Consulates in Palermo and Venice. We also work closely with our colleagues in our Embassy to the Holy See.

In addition to my role as Ambassador to Italy, I am delighted to represent Ireland in the Republic of San Marino. I presented my credentials to the Captains Regent there in February 2026, and continue to work to further strengthen Ireland’s relations with this beautiful country.

As Permanent Representative of Ireland to the UN Agencies in Rome, I also work closely with colleagues on issues relating to global food security, sustainable food systems, rural development, and emergency food assistance – which are all priorities for Ireland. We are strongly committed to multilateralism and proud to contribute to the goal of universal food security. Here in Rome, we represent Irish positions on global food policies, and develop important initiatives in partnership with the UN agencies and other Member States.

I hope that you find this website helpful and informative. Should you require any further information, please contact us at the Embassy – we are always happy to assist.

Le gach dea-ghuí, with best wishes, con i migliori auguri,

Elizabeth McCullough

Ambasadóir na hÉireann, Ambassador of Ireland, Ambasciatore d’Irlanda

CV

Elizabeth McCullough is the Ambassador of Ireland to Italy and San Marino, and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Agencies based in Rome.

Ambassador McCullough previously served as Ambassador to Denmark, from 2023 to 2025. Other overseas assignments have included postings to the Embassy of Ireland to Great Britain; the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN in New York; the Embassy of Ireland to France; and the Delegation of Ireland to the OSCE in Vienna.

Ambassador McCullough was UN Director in the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin from 2021 to 2023 and Consular Director from 2019 to 2021; and EU Strategic Director in the Department of the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) from 2014 to 2019. She has worked previously on EU, political and trade issues.

Born in Dublin, Ambassador McCullough earned her degrees in Trinity College Dublin and the University of Padua.