Ireland in Saudi Arabia
From the first meeting of the Prince Faisal bin Abdul Aziz, later King Faisal, with the British Lieutenant Governor at the President’s residence in the Phoenix Park in 1919 to the 50th anniversary of the appointing of our first Ambassador in 2025, Ireland’s relationship with Saudi Arabia has gone from strength-to-strength.
For over 50 years, Irish engineers, healthcare workers and agricultural experts have contributed to Saudi’s rapid transformation. Meanwhile, Saudi students in Ireland support our education and health sectors before returning to reinforce the accelerated implementation of Vision 2030.
With over 2,000 Irish citizens now living in Saudi Arabia and some 800 Saudi students undertaking post-graduate studies in Ireland, Ireland and Saudi Arabia have developed close people-to-people links.
Two-way trade between Ireland and Saudi Arabia is growing, exceeding €4.3 billion in 2023. Irish engineering, farming, and medical professionals have traditionally, and continue to make a critical contribution in the Kingdom, but today, Irish businesses are also prominently involved in data centres, education, fintech, ICT, medtech, and pharmaceuticals.
Embassy of Ireland, Saudi Arabia
The Embassy works to promote and protect Irish interests in Saudi Arabia, strengthen political and economic relationships, support the Irish community and promote cultural ties and the Irish arts.
Our partners
The Embassy works closely with Irish State Agencies in Saudi Arabia and at home, to promote trade, tourism and inward investment
Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland is the government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets.
Bord Bia
The role of Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, is to act as a link between Irish food, drink and horticulture suppliers, and existing and potential customers throughout the world.
IDA Ireland
Promoting foreign direct investment into Ireland through a wide range of services.
Tourism Ireland
Marketing the island of Ireland overseas as a holiday and business tourism destination.