Ireland's relationship with Sweden

The history and strong friendship between Ireland and Sweden goes back a long time. Sweden was one of the first countries to establish formal diplomatic relations with Ireland after it became an independent country in 1949.

Over the years, both countries have worked together to support shared values such as human rights and the rule of law. Today, Ireland and Sweden are strong partners in the European Union and the United Nations where we have a shared commitment to promoting global peace and security.

Ireland and Sweden have shared values, involving promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility through the green transition. In 2021, Ireland launched the Nordic-Baltic Strategy to work more closely with countries in the Nordic-Baltic region, including Sweden.

Despite changes in the geopolitical landscape since 2021, Ireland and Sweden still share the goal of creating a safer and fairer future. To achieve this the countries help each other in different ways, such collaborating on security issues, including cyber, hybrid, and energy security, working within EU and security frameworks.

The Irish community in Sweden is vibrant, with an estimated 4,000 Irish nationals residing in the country. Organisations like the Swedish-Irish Society in Stockholm, Malmö, and Gothenburg foster cultural exchange and community engagement. There are also GAA clubs in places like Stockholm, Gävle, and Sandviken, where people of all nationalities can play traditional Irish sports such as gaelic football and hurling – even competing with other teams from the region.

Irish writers, musicians and artists are well-known in Sweden, too. In 2023, Ireland celebrated the centenary of W.B. Yeats receiving the Nobel Prize for Literature from the Swedish Academy. In 2025, it will be 30 years since another famous Irish writer and poet, Seamus Heaney, won the same prize.

These connections show how much Ireland and Sweden appreciate each other's culture.

In 2024, a new Ireland House opened in Stockholm. It is home to the Irish Embassy, Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia. This regional hub symbolises Ireland's commitment to enhancing its relationship with Sweden and making it easier for both countries to work together and create new opportunities. This has been boosted by the re-opening of the Swedish Embassy in Dublin in November 2024, showing the importance of this relationship for both countries both now and for the future.

As a priority market for Ireland, many Irish companies in technology and construction are establishing their operations in Sweden, bringing Irish workers to the country. The Nordic region was the fastest growing market for Enterprise Ireland in 2023. These Irish companies are contributing to Sweden’s green transition and digital industries and Swedish companies have major innovation hubs in Ireland. The Irish Chamber of Commerce in Sweden also plays a vital role, connecting businesses from both countries.