Embassy history

Find out about the history of the Embassy chanceries and Ireland's previous Ambassadors to the United States.

Move to 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

In 2025, the Embassy of Ireland, USA moved to a new premises at 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, just steps from the White House designed by Irish architect James Hoban. The new Chancery was officially opened by Tánaiste Simon Harris on September 25, 2025, and was the culmination of a nearly four-year redevelopment plan. Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., the Chancery's contemporary Irish design showcases Irish creativity and innovation, while paying homage to generations of strong transatlantic ties.

2234 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC

From 1949 to 2025, the Embassy of Ireland, USA was located at 2234 Massachusetts Avenue at Sheridan Circle. The building was purchased by the Irish state in 1949.

The original architect of the house at 2234 Massachusetts Avenue was William Penn Cresson. The Republican Governor of Louisiana William P. Kellogg (1873-1877) was one of the first owners of the property. Kellogg was also elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1882 and served one term from 1883 to 1885, after which he continued to live in Washington.

The semi-detached limestone building had two major facades (Massachusetts Avenue and Sheridan Circle).

Sheridan Circle features a statue of Civil War General Philip Sheridan. The statue was dedicated in 1909 in the presence of President Theodore Roosevelt. The houses surrounding the circle were originally built in the first decade of the twentieth century.

Two blocks to the north of the Circle is a bronze sculpture of the Irish patriot Robert Emmet by Jerome Connor (1876-1943). This statue was dedicated in June 1917 in the presence of President Woodrow Wilson and rededicated in 2016 as part of the programme commemorating the centenary of the 1916 Rising.

Previous Ambassadors

There have been seventeen previous Irish Heads of Mission to the United States. The first Head of Mission at Ambassador rank was John Joseph Hearne, who was posted to the United States in 1950.