International Sports Diplomacy

» We will use sports opportunities to build positive perceptions about and an increased awareness of Ireland, our priorities and our values, including through public diplomacy and outreach campaigns, exhibitions, documentaries and other mediums.

» We will develop a campaign calendar to plan public diplomacy activities around major sporting events in Ireland and internationally, as well as high-level/high-impact events that include a sporting component and other key opportunities to promote Ireland and sport, such as St Patrick’s Day and St Brigid’s Day.

» We will elevate Ireland’s reputation as a sporting nation through continued investment in sport at all levels, including our national Sport Ireland Campus, by building upon our success in hosting major sporting events and by supporting our athletes to achieve on the international stage.

» We will support current and former athletes as they engage in international promotional activities on behalf of Ireland, recognising the important role that our international athletes play representing Ireland internationally.

» We will work closely with the GAA to secure recognition of Gaelic Games in relevant international fora and in countries with a significant playing population. We will showcase Gaelic Games internationally.

» We will focus strategically on high-impact campaigns and initiatives to showcase Ireland’s sports technology sector and advance our leadership in this space.

» We will work with GAA HQ to support GAA clubs abroad to provide meaningful games opportunities and to continue acting as a touchstone for Irish communities living overseas, and as important entry-points for local communities to engage with and learn about Ireland.

» We will strengthen and support Irish sporting networks overseas.

» We will celebrate and strengthen ties with Ireland’s affinity diaspora in sport, recognising the often-central role that they play in Irish sports clubs overseas, as well as clubs and sports with an Irish influence, history or heritage.

» We will engage with and connect Ireland’s business, research and sporting diaspora

» The Department of the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Culture, Communications and Sport commit to the establishment of a new international sports diplomacy fund with a budget of at least €1 million over the lifetime of the Strategy.

» We will promote an all-island approach to hosting major international sporting events, including supporting the hosting of such international events as UEFA Euro 2028 and the T20 Cricket World Cup 2030.

» Implement the Programme for Government commitment to expand cross-border sports opportunities, providing an opportunity for increased strategic coherence in sports policy across both jurisdictions.

» We will optimise opportunities to foster partnerships around large sporting events hosted in Ireland and overseas, building on the work of the Government coordination group on major sporting events.

» We will foster ties with international sporting bodies.

» We will work with development, humanitarian partners and other stakeholders to support sporting initiatives with the potential to achieve positive development outcomes.

» The Government will host international conferences, summits and expos that advance the goals of this Strategy.

» We will support connections between Irish third level institutions as well as with sports technology companies, in Ireland and internationally.

» We will position Ireland at the intersection of sport, technology, and global business, creating opportunities to strengthen Ireland’s reputation as a leader in research and innovation, to support Irish companies and to attract foreign direct investment.

» We will develop a programme of strategic interventions in relevant markets, including those Ireland has strong sporting ties with, to promote opportunities.

» We will develop a whole-of-Government strategic approach to leveraging major sporting events hosted in Ireland and overseas, drawing on the work of the Government coordination group on major sporting events.

» We will ensure that the many long-term opportunities that come with hosting and participating in large-scale international events are optimised.

» We will develop structures to leverage small- and medium-sized international sporting events both at home and abroad to support diplomatic, tourism, trade and investment objectives, drawing on the work of the Government coordination group on major sporting events.