Embassy history

Relationship between Ireland and Latvia

Ireland and Latvia share a lot of commonalities in history with independence movements growing in the early 20th century. Both states emerged onto the world stage in the wake of World War 1 and joined the League of Nations within a few years of each other.

Over the years Irish/Latvian bilateral links have developed. Ireland was one of the countries which did not recognise the occupation of Latvia by the USSR, and moved quickly to re-establish diplomatic relations at Latvia’s restoration of independence in 1991.

Since the reestablishment of diplomatic relations there has been a steady pattern of cooperation between our two countries, including State visits by the Presidents of both states.

Latvia opened a resident Embassy in Dublin in 2003, and Ireland was honoured to welcome Latvia into the European Union during our 2004 EU Presidency. In 2005 the Irish Embassy opened in Rīga. It is now situated in a historic building at 13 Alberta Street, in the heart of Rīga’s Art Nouveau district.

Today Ireland and Latvia enjoy a strong bilateral relationship and work together as members of the European Union, the United Nations and the OECD.

Former Irish Ambassadors to Latvia

2005 - 2009: Tim Mawe 

2009 - 2010: Brendan McMahon 

2010 - 2015: Aidan Kirwan

2015-2020: Jim Hennessy

2021-2025: Eimear Friel