Consul General of Ireland, Austin
John Forde
Welcome
Céad míle fáilte romhaibh. Welcome to the Consulate General of Ireland in Austin.
It is a privilege to serve as Ireland's Consul General for Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma; a region that continues to inspire me with the scale of its ambition, the warmth of its welcome, and the depth of its connection to Ireland. From long-established Irish communities to a new generation of Irish companies putting down roots here, Ireland's presence in this part of the world continues to grow.
Our team at the Consulate is committed to strengthening the economic, cultural, and community ties between Ireland and this region, and to supporting Irish citizens and those of Irish heritage across all six states. We work very closely with Ireland's excellent state agencies to promote Ireland's interests, culturally and commercially, across the region.
I strongly encourage you to explore our website, get in touch with any questions, and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook for the latest from the Consulate. You can also sign up for our newsletter and our GreenLight Culture Bulletin, a wonderful guide to Irish cultural events across the region.
Le gach dea-ghuí,
John Forde
Biography
Consul General John Forde leads Ireland's engagement across the states of Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
John's career began as an army officer in the Irish Defence Forces, attaining the rank of Captain in the Cavalry Corps. He served at tactical, operational, and strategic levels during his 13 years of service, which included five deployments to the Middle East with the United Nations, serving in Lebanon, Syria and Jerusalem. He joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2020 as Deputy Director of Disarmament and Non-Proliferation and subsequently served for four years as Deputy Head of Mission at Ireland's Embassy in Abu Dhabi, strengthening bilateral ties and representing the broad range of Irish interests across the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait.
Originally from Newry, County Down, John now happily calls Austin home, where he lives with his wife, Louise, and their four children. Outside of work, he enjoys cycling and swimming in Austin's beautiful parks, immersing himself in the city’s vibrant live music scene, and following the mixed fortunes of Down's Gaelic football team.