Welcome

Welcome to the website of our Embassy which we hope you will find useful and informative.  In addition to providing information on the services provided by the Embassy, it is a source of information on Ireland and Spain alike and on the links between our two countries.  If you have comments about our website or require further information on Ireland, please contact the Embassy. 

Payments to Embassy

Please note that from January 2013 all fees payable to the Embassy (passport/visa/citizenship fees etc) MUST be paid by bank transfer.  Passport fees can still also be paid by credit card on the application form.  Payment details below:

Bank Address (only for payment purposes)
BBVA
C/Claudio Coello 92
Madrid 28006
(Please do not send applications to this address, applications should be sent to the Embassy Address.)

Account Name:  EMBAJADA DE IRLANDA
Account Number: 0182 1932 44 0201542340
IBAN code:  ES90 0182 1932 44 0201542340
Swift/BIC code:  BBVAESMMXXX

Observaciones/concepto:  Name and service required eg. John Smith, Standard Passport

Symposium: Towards a True European Monetary Union - Democratic Legitimacy and Accountability, Fundación Carlos de Amberes, 17 May, 10-14h

In the context of Ireland’s EU Presidency, the Irish Embassy in Madrid took the initiative of organising, in association with the Fundacion Carlos de Amberes and the Delegation of the European Commission, a round table on the issue of Democratic Legitimacy and Accountability in the context of European Monetary Union. The event took place in the premises of the Fundacion Carlos de Amberes (c/ Claudio Coello 99, Madrid) on Friday 17 May from 10.00-14.00.

The Embassy arranged representation from Ireland with the participation of Mr. Paschal Donohoe, T.D., Deputy Chair of the Committee on European Affairs of the Irish Parliament, and Mr. Alan Dukes, former Minister of the Irish Government (including for Finance) and currently engaged in projects with the Institute for International and European Affairs in Dublin relating to EMU. Other members of the panel included: Enrique Barón (ex-Spanish Government Minister and ex-President of the European Parliament), J. Manuel Gonzalez-Páramo (ex-executive Committee member of the ECB), Ignacio Molina (Researcher with Real Instituto Elcano), Carlos Carnero (MD of Fundación Alternativas) and Jose Ignacio Torreblanca (Director of European Council on Foreign Relations). The seminar was moderated by Montserrat Dominguez, journalist and director of "The Huffington Post".

The Secretary of State for the EU Mr. Iñigo de Vigo closed the seminar and the Embassy hosted a reception afterwards.

To read Paschal Donohoe's remarks, please click here

To read remarks by Alan Dukes, please click here

For full details of this event, please click here

Celtiberia en concierto, Círculo de Bellas Artes, 9 May, 20h

As part of the Irish Embassy’s exciting cultural programme during the Presidency, and to celebrate Europe Day in collaboration with the European Commission in Spain, the Embassy organised a special free concert (“Celitiberia en Concierto”), open to the public, in Madrid’s prestigious Círculo de Bellas Artes, which brought together the musical traditions of Ireland and Spain. The show featured traditional Irish musicians (led by Niamh Ní Charra), a flamenco dancer, a flamenco guitarist and an Asturian fiddler. The event was full to capacity with an estimated 400 people in the audience. Please click here to see the biographies of the talented musicians who came together on this unique occasion to offer the crowds a spendid display of musical talent from both countries.

The musicians started the day off by participtaing in a radio programme Europa Abierta with the national radio station of Spain, and delighted listeners with a selection of tunes from the special line up prepared for the concert later that evening.

“De Extranjeros a Ciudadanos” was also be exhibited on the evening in the beautiful entrance to the Sala de Columnas concert hall at the Circulo de Bellas Artes.

To read an article about the concert that appeared in Patrimonio Actual, please click here

Ambassador Harman at the Auditorio Nacional on Europe Day

Ambassador Harman opened the special concert for Europe Day at the Sala Sinfónica of the Auditorio Nacional in Madrid. It was organised by the European Commisssion on the occasion of Europe Day and the European Youth Orchestra of Madrid gathered together musicians and choirs from Liceo Francés, the Deutsche Schule, the Scuola Italiana and the Colegio San Patricio. The programme was varied and attractive and included pieces from Beethoven, Sibelius, Rossini, Mascagni, Falla, Verdi and Wagner. It took place after Celtiberia en concierto.

Calendar of Embassy events during Ireland’s EU Presidency

Have you ever wondered what exactly an Embassy does? Click here to see a calendar of events and initiatives carried out by the Embassy to celebrate Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union.  

The Life and Works of W.B. Yeats in Álcala de Henares

The exhibition opened in the Colegio Menor San José de Caracciolos in Álcala de Henares on the 6 May. It was very popular and coincided with Europe Day Celebrations on 12 May, which brought more visitors to the city. It remained there until Friday 17 May.

Ambassador gives talk at the Academia de Artillería in Segovia

Ambassador Harman met with Lieutenant Coronel Álvarez Nieto at the Academia de Artillería in Segovia on 30 April to give a presentation on Ireland's role in European recovery as part of a series of talks organised by the academy.

To read an article about the visit, please click here

Ambassador Harman calls for solidarity in speech to mark Europe Day

To read the full text of his remarks (in Spanish) click here.

Gutun Zuria - VI Festival Internacional de las Letras de Bilbao

During the 6^th edition of Gutun Zuria 2013, International Contemporary Literary Festival, John Banville spoke to a packed out hall at the impressive Alhóndiga Bilbao Art and Cultural Centre in Bilbao city centre. The festival received nearly 3,000 visitors over the course of the 10 days, and the organisers were happy with the notably higher attendance of young people. John Banville commented on how enchanted he was with Bilbao, and that he felt at home there after having enjoyed rain, cold and sunshine, all in the one day.

Strangers to Citizens exhibition in Alcalá de Henares

The Strangers to Citizens exhibition is showing in the Colegio de los Irlandeses in Alcalá de Henares from 22 April-3 May. For more information, please click here

Seminar: NAMA, Ireland's experience of establishing an Asset Management Agency - 3 years on

Photo above: Ambassador Harman and Emma Naismith, President of the SIBN, with some of the panelists

On the 17th of April the Embassy along with the SIBN organized a seminar with Brendan McDonagh, CEO of NAMA.  Mr. McDonagh met with Belen Romana, President of SAREB, Spain's asset management agency and following this meeting the Ambassador hosted a working lunch. The seminar was hosted in Fundación Rafael del Pino to a full house of approximately 110 guests.

During his 45 minute presentation Mr. McDonagh highlighted both NAMA’s positive results and areas where with hindsight other decisions could have been made. The asset transfer process was touched on during the session as was the economic and political climate when NAMA was formed approximately 3 years ago. This was contrasted with NAMA’s current situation, income and disposals, to provide the audience with perspective as regards NAMA origins and where it is today.  

Following Mr. McDonagh’s presentation there was a dynamic discussion moderated by Miles Johnson, FT correspondent in Madrid, with the following individuals: Fernando Navarrete (Instituto de Crédito Oficial), Angel Martín (KPMG), José Manuel Amor (Afi), Brendan McDonagh (NAMA), Daragh Quinn (Nomura Securities), Antonio Cortina (Banco Santander).

A large proportion of the audience was formed by bankers and consultants. Therefore, and not unsurprisingly, many of the questions to Mr. McDonagh and the panel focused on the lessons that have been learned by NAMA since its formation and how some of these lessons could be applied in the current Spanish context.

Interview by Ambassador Harman with Radio Exterior, 19 April

This live interview with the foreign service of Spain’s national broadcaster covered Ireland’s presidency priorities and progress achieved at the halfway point on Banking Union, free trade agreements with the US and Japan, CAP Reform, Youth unemployment, the protection of victims of gender-based violence, and foreign policy issues. The interview was preceded by a long and detailed report on Ireland.

To listen to the interview, please click here

Conference on "Irlanda y la Recuperación Europea" at ESADE, Madrid

On 15 April, Ambassador Harman participated together with the Spanish Secretary of State for European Affairs Méndez de Vigo and Carles A. Gasòliba, President of LECE, in a debate about European recovery. The event was organised by the prestigious business school ESADE. The Ambassador gave a 40 minute address to a high-level audience of businesspeople and academics on Ireland’s economic recovery. Sr. Méndez de Vigo spoke highly of Ireland’s EU Presidency and commented on teh positive example shown by Ireland in its return to the markets.The panel discussion included the participation of Ángel Pascual Ramsay, Director of Global Risks ESADEgeo, and Oscar Cortés, responsible for ESADE Alumni.

Ambassador Harman speaks at the 4^th Euro-Mediterranean Women Leaders’ Conference 

Carmen Plaza, Director General for Equality at the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality and Ambassador Justin Harman inaugurated the fourth Euro Mediterranean meeting of leading women in business and politics. This meeting focused on the impact of the economic crisis on gender issues. Ambassador Harman highlighted Presidency success in achieving agreement on a regulation for a European Protection Order for victims of domestic violence, and the importance Ireland places on the question of the participation of women in the workplace in the context of policies to address the scourge of unemployment in crisis-affected member states on how the crisis has impacted women in particular.  

Ambassador Harman gives speech on “Ireland Can Help Lead Europe’s Recovery” at the Colegio Mayor de Miraflores, Zaragoza

Ambassador Harman addressed an audience of students and academics on the theme of Ireland’s economic recovery and its significance for Europe and for its EU Presidency at the Colegio Mayor de Miraflores, Zaragoza, on the 18 April 2013.

Strangers to Citizens exhibition in León University

The exhibition took place in the University of León from 8-19 April. The response was of genuine interest from both students and colleagues and quite a few comments praising "the Irish" for their capacity to engender good feeling through initiatives like this. The Dean and Vice Dean of the faculty were particularly pleased and have indicated their interest in any further exhibitions.

Presidency approaches its half-way point

You can download here the summary of results achived so far. We have three months of work ahead in continued pursuit of our objectives of stability, jobs and growth.  

And to know more about the events the Embassy is organising in the context of the Presidency click here.

Gymnich meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Dublin Castle, 22-23 March

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore greets the Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union, Iñigo Méndez de Vigo, at the Gymnich meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Dublin Castle on 22-23 March

Call for Nominations for Presidential Distinguished Service Award

The first Presidential Distinguished Service Awards for the Irish Abroad (PDSA) were presented by the President at the Award ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin on 15 November 2012. We are now calling for nominations for the 2013 edition. The Award provides recognition by the Irish State for persons living abroad, primarily Irish citizens, those entitled to Irish citizenship and those of Irish descent, who have made a sustained and distinguished service to Ireland and/or Irish communities abroad in one of the following categories: Irish community support; Arts, culture and sport; charitable works; business and education; peace, reconciliation and development. Click here for full details of the Awards. You can also download the nomination form here  

Launch of 40/40/40 art exhibition and St. Patrick's Day reception, Conde Duque Madrid, 20 March

The Embassy launched 40/40/40: Exhibition of Contemporary Art celebrating Ireland’s 40 years in the European Union on 20 March in the Conde Duque Cultural Centre in Madrid. The exhibition showcases the work of 40 artists under the age of 40 who are Irish or who live in Ireland, all chosen from the State Art Collection. It will travel to Warsaw and Rome after Madrid and forms part of the EU Presidency cultural programme.  You can see the catalogue here.

The Secretary of State for Culture and the Secretary of State for European Affairs spoke at the launch of the exhibition. Both highlighted the importance of culture in the European project and in creating a sense of European citizenship, and the strength of the ties between Ireland and Spain.Continuing a tradition begun at the St. Patrick’s Day ball in 2012, Ambassador Harman presented the Secretary of State for European Affairs with a glass bowl of shamrock.

The Embassy hosted a St. Patrick's Day reception following the launch, which was attended by 300 guests, a mix of diplomatic guests, Irish community, cultural and arts contacts, and Spanish official contacts. The Strangers to Citizens exhibition was also on display on the evening.

The following are a list of articles about the exhibition in Spanish media and webpages:

Hoy es Arte
Ayuntamiento de Madrid
Ocio por Madrid
Ministerio de Educación y Cultura
Patrimonio Actual

Please click here to view a video of the opening night

The exhibition will run until the 20 April and the opening times are as follows:

Tuesday - Saturday: 10 to 14h and 17,30 to 21h

Sundays and Holidays: 10.30 to 14h

Closed Monday 

Launch of exhibition on W.B. Yeats in Huelva University

The inauguration of the exhibition on the life and works of W. B. Yeats took place on Tuesday 19 March at the Universidad de Huelva, in the presence of  Dr. Manuel José de Lara Ródenas (Vicerrector de Extensión Universitaria y Relaciones Internacionales), Dra. Sonia Hernández Santano (Directora de la Oficina de Transferencia de Resultados de Investigación) and Dra. María Losada Friend (Coordinadora de la Exposición Yeats en la Universidad de Huelva y Miembro AEDEI). The exhibition will be there until 5 April 2013.

Convention on the Constitution

On the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the constitution by the people of Ireland, a Convention on the Constitution has been established to submit recommendations to the Houses of the Oireachtas on changes to make the constitution more relevant to the Ireland of the 21st Century.

The Chairman of the Convention on the Constitution, Tom Arnold (former CEO of Concern Worldwide) invites Irish citizens resident abroad to express their views on future Constitutional change.

Irish citizens living and working abroad are being encouraged to participate in what is an historic initiative in deliberative democracy. The Government has undertaken to respond, by way of Oireachtas debate, to each Convention recommendation within four months and if it agrees with a particular recommendation for change, to give a timeframe for a referendum. For more information on how to submit a recommendation, please click here

Interview with Ambassador Harman in Euroxpress, 20 March 2013

Salvador de Madariaga Press Awards

Ambassador Harman participated on 19 February in the jury for the prestigious Spanish press, Radio and TV awards which are made annually for coverage of European issues in honour of Salvador de Madariaga, one of Spain’s foremost writers and intellectuals who died in 1978.  This year’s prizes were awarded to Carlos Yárnoz, Deputy Editor of El Pais; Carlos Herrera of Onda Cero radio; and Anna Bosch of TVE.  Ambassador Harman congratulated all three journalists on the awards and remarked on the consistently professional coverage of EU issues in the Spanish media

Ambassador Harman's Interview with SurinEnglish.com

Click here to read the full text of the interview to mark St. Patrick's Day.

Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening comes to Spain

Tourism Ireland Spain joined in the Global Greening by painting some of Spain’s iconic monuments green, including the Torre de Hercules, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Galicia with close links to Ireland. Pamplona and Salamanca also participated in the greening by lighting up their Ayuntamiento buildings and the town of Moraira in Alicante joined in the fun by lighting up its castle and roundabouts. Madrid once again saw Palacio de Cibeles and the fountain green in honour of our patron saint.

Globally, the Pyramids, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio, and the famous “Welcome” sign in Las Vegas joined these Spanish monuments in going green to celebrate our national day.

For more information, please see Tourism Ireland's blog and webpage.

Ambassador Harman meets the Mayor of Salamanca Sr. Alfonso Mañueco

Ambassador Harman made a presentation to the Mayor of Salamanca, Mr Alfonso Mañueco, and expressed appreciation for the decision of the Council to 'green' the city's world famous Plaza Mayor.  There was a detailed discussion on projects to deepen the links between Salamanca and Ireland. The Embassy is delighted to say that the Plaza Mayor in Salamanca will once agian be going green in honour of St. Patrick's Day.

‘El encuentro con la mirada; When the lens meets the soul’ , by Carmen Casey

An exhibition of photographs by Carmen Casey ‘El encuentro con la mirada; When the lens meets the soul’ was opened by the Rector of Salamanca University on the 12 March.  A report on the exhibition which runs to 7 April, including an interview with the artist, can be seen here.

Please click here for a link to Carmen Casey's website.

St Patricks Day greetings  from the President Michael D. Higgins.

Irlanda en Escena, dramatised readings in the Teatro Valle-Inclán, 8, 9 & 10 March

As part of our exciting cultural programme to celebrate Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Embassy of Ireland, in collaboration with the Spanish National Theatre, organised “Irlanda en Escena”, a series of dramatised readings of three Irish plays by John Millington Synge, Tom Murphy and Marina Carr, with Spanish actors, directed by Denis Rafter and Antonio Castro Guijosa.

Director Denis Rafter with Ambassador Justin Harman

The actors and actresses who read from Synge's play Deirdre of the Sorrows

They took place in the Teatro Valle-Inclán, Madrid. The readings from Deirdre of the Sorrows by Synge were excellently performed on Friday 8 March. Among the audience on Friday night was the Secretary of State for the European Union Sr. Iñigo Méndez de Vigo.  Tom Murphy's Conversations on a Homecoming was spendidly read on Saturday 9 March. 

The Embassy hosted a vino español on the opening night on Friday 8 March, after Synge’s play Deirdre of the Sorrows.

Ambassador Harman with the actors, directors and Embassy staff at the Valle-Inclán

Leading Irish playwright Marina Carr travelled to Madrid for the occasion and there was an interesting and dynamic Q & A session with her after the superb reading of her play Marble on Sunday.

For a copy of the invitation please click here and the programme can be found here  

Creative Connexions Ireland:Catalonia, Arts Festival, Sitges 15-17 March

Creative Connexions was a three-day, two-country, multi-venue showcase of Irish and Catalan Culture. This unique new event was delivered by internationally recognised Irish and Catalan writers, poets, artists, composers and performers through exhibitions, readings, lectures, workshops, film and performances.
Creative Connexions is seeking to make creative connections between both cultures and is providing a showcase of high quality Irish and Catalan culture during festivals in Sitges, Barcelona and Dún Laoghaire, Dublin in 2013.

For more information, please see attached 

Hablemos de Europa, 26 February Andalucia

On 26 February, Ambassador Harman addressed the “Hablemos de Europa” (Let’s talk about Europe) forum in Seville, which is organised by the EU Commission Office and the regional newspaper, the Correo de Andalucía. His remarks focused on the achievements of the first two months of Ireland’s EU Presidency and Ireland’s economic recovery. The audience consisted of Andalucian business, media and political leaders. Please see attached for comprehensive coverage, in Spanish, by the Correo de Andalucía.

Inauguration of W.B Yeats exhibition in the University of Seville, 27 February

Ambassdor Harman opened an exhibition on WB Yeats in the Faculty of Philology of the University of Seville on 26 February.  The event, attended by students and staff of the University, was also addressed by Antonio Rivero Taravillo who is based in Seville and who is the translator of the collected poetry of Yeats which was published two years ago.  The Ambassador mentioned that the exhibition, which is also scheduled to open in other venues including Huelva, is part of the Embassy programme of cultural events in the context of the EU Presidency.  The exhibition was commissioned by the Cultural Section of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin. It will remain there until the 8 March 2013.

The Ambassador took the opportunity to congratulate Antonio Taravillo on the excellent translation of Flann O'Brien's 'La Saga del Sagu de Slattery' which was published in the last few weeks by Nordica Libros

Strangers to Citizens exhibition in Valladolid, 25 February - 8 March

The Stangers to Citizens exhibition opened in the University in Valladolid on Monday 25 February. It can be visited until the 8 March in the Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, central hall 3rd floor, Monday-Friday 8-22.00 and Saturdays 9-14.00. For more photos of the exhibition, please click here

International Conference on Eminent Europeans of Irish Origin - The Impact of Ireland in Europe: An Historical Perspective

There was strong representation of Spanish historians at a major conference, in the context of Ireland's EU Presidency, at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin on 21/22 February "Eminent Europeans of Irish Origin:  The Impact of Ireland in Europe - An Historical Perspective".  The group of Spanish historians was led by Don Hugo O'Donnell, Duke of Tetuan, who made an excellent presentation on Irish influence in 19th century Spain.  Other Spanish presentations were by Prof Michael White and Beatriz Villacanas of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid; Prof Carmen Lario de Onate of the University of Cadiz; Dr Eduardo de Mesa on the Irish Tercios; Prof Enrique Garcia Hernan of CSIC; and Carlos Cologan Soriano of the University of La Laguna, Tenerife.

The full programme of the Conference is available here

Ambassador Harman chaired a session of the Conference and made a presentation of the volume on "Power Strategies Spain and Ireland - 1600-1825"which was edited by Oscar Recio Morales who spoke at a launch of the volume which was hosted by the Spanish Ambassador in Dublin, Mr Javier Garrigues

Presentation of ADE magazine in Salamanca, 12 February 2013

A presentation of the volume on Irish Theatre published by the Embassy and the Asociacion de Directores de Escena de Espana took place on 11 February in the Aula Magna of the University of Salamanca.  There was a large turnout of Faculty and students, together with representatives of the local media.  The event was hosted by the Dean of the Faculty of Philology of the University, together with Professor Roman Alvarez.  In addition to Ambassador Harman, the Secretary General of ADE and Mr. Denis Rafter, coordinator of the publication, spoke at the event. 

Ambassador Harman said that it was a particular honour for Ireland that the event took place in such a historic venue as the University of Salamanca which had a special relationship with Ireland over the centuries from the foundation of the Irish College.  The Ambassador also presented the exhibition “Strangers to Citizens” which has been prepared by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Ireland’s contribution to Europe over the ages, including to Spain.

For a summary of the event, please click here

To read an article on the event in La Gaceta, please click here. Another article in the University newspaper can be viewed here

Foro Antares, presentation by Ambassador Harman in Sevilla

Ambassador Harman gave a presentation on 7 february in Seville to a leading business forum, Foro Antares, in which he spoke on Ireland’s economic recovery and the implications for Europe.  He also addressed the priorities of the Irish EU Presidency.  The Ambassador also gave a number of press and TV interviews.

FITUR in Madrid, 30 January - 3 February 2013

Ambassador Harman visited Ireland’s stand at the FITUR exhibition in Madrid and met with all the trade participants from the Irish tourist industry together with the representatives of Tourism Ireland. The Ambassador warmly congratulated Tourism Ireland on the impressive stand, and remarked on the successful year for Ireland in 2012 in the Spanish tourist market with a 3% increase and a total of 253,000 visitors. He emphasised the importance of The Gathering in 2013 and expressed the hope that, despite difficult local market conditions, there would be a further increase this year in the number of Spanish visitors.

La Liga football match dedicated to Ireland

Caoimhe Ní Chonchúir represented the Embassy at a La Liga football match dedicated to Ireland, which was organised by Sevilla Fútbol Club as part of their “Somos de Todos. Somos del Mundo” outreach programme. The match between Sevilla FC and Granada Club de Fútbol took place on 28 January. The local Éire Óg Sevilla Gaelic Football team played an exhibition match at half time (you can see video footage here), and the match was preceded by a performance by Irish group “Rarefolk”. You can read more here in the report by Sevilla FC on its website.

Thesis by Eduardo de Mesa Gallego on The Irish Tercios in the Spanish Military Revolution, 1621-1644

Ambassador Harman received a copy of the two-volume doctoral thesis by Eduardo de Mesa Gallego at the Embassy. The thesis, on The Irish Tercios in the Spanish Military Revolution, 1621-1644  is being submitted to UCD.  The dissertation examines the military service of Irish émigrés in the Spanish Monarchy during the first half of the reign of Philip IV.  Ambassador Harman said that this impressive thesis reflects detailed research over a long period in Dublin, the National Archive in Simancas, and in Madrid, and is a hugely valuable addition to research in this critical period of the development of Irish-Spanish relations.  He congratulated Sr. de Mesa and also the fact that he would be speaking in Dublin at the International Conference on Eminent Europeans of Irish Origin: The Impact of Ireland in Europe: An Historical Perspective, on 21 and 22 February.  This Conference is taking place in the context of Ireland’s EU Presidency and is intended to explore and celebrate Ireland’s positive historical contribution to Europe.

Inauguration of "The Irish and the Spanish Monarchy (1529-1800): Links in Space and Time" exhibition, Simancas, 24 January 2013

Ambassador Justin Harman and Sr. José María Lassalle (Secretary of State for Culture) inaugurated the exhibition on 24 January 2013 at the Simancas General Archive. This exhibition will be displaying 51 original documents reflecting part of the shared history between Ireland and Spain. It will run until the 30 June 2013, opening hours 10.00-14.00 and from 17.00 - 19.00.

For more information and a copy of the press release in English, please click here . For Spanish, click here

For a copy of the leaflet please click here

EU-US Relations: Expectations on the eve of the second Obama Administration, 22 January 2013  

The Embassy, together with the prestigious think tank Real Instituto Elcano, organised a seminar to explore one of the priorities of the Irish EU Presidency: relations with the US, and progress towards an EU-US Free Trade Agreement, at Casa de América, Madrid. The former Taoiseach John Bruton, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation José Manuel García-Margallo and former Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio participated in the debate, along with the Irish and American Ambassadors, among others.

For a copy of the Ambassador's remarks (in English and Spanish), please click here

To view more photos of the event, please see here

Interview with former Taoiseach John Bruton in El País

Click here to read the interview with former Taoiseach John Bruton in El País today. Mr. Bruton, who was formerly EU Ambassador in Washington, will speak at a seminar on EU-US relations this evening in Casa de America in Madrid. The event has been organised by the Embassy in collaboration with the Real Instituto Elcano. Registration for the event has now closed as it is at full capacity. For more information about the event please click here

Slideshow of flag raising ceremony, 8 January 2013

For those of you who could not attend the flag raising ceremony on 8 January 2013, please click here to see this short slideshow of the event and also some photos of the EU Ambassadors’ lunch at the Irish Residence with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Sr. D. José Manuel García Margallo and the Secretary of State for EU Affairs Sr. D. Iñigo Méndez de Vigo.

Please click here to read an op-ed carried by CNN and signed by the Foreign Ministers of Ireland, Slovenia, Denmark and Austria calling on the UN Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court

Interview with Ambassador Harman on RTVE

Use this link to see a programme broadcast on 10 January by RTVE on Ireland´s EU Presidency, including an interview with Ambassador Harman(at minute 30 of the programme) and coverage of the inauguration in Madrid of the Presidency and the exhibition "Strangers to Citizens" currently on display in the offices of the European Commission.  This exhibition, which focuses on the history of Irish migration to Europe and specicially to Spain, and the contribution of the Irish over many centuries, will be on display in various locations in the course of 2013.

Please also see this link to a separate interview with Ambassador Harman on 2 January on Radio Nacional de Espana on the priorities of the Irish Presidency.

Launch of Ireland's EU Presidency - flag raising at the EU Commission building in Madrid, 8 January 2013

Ambassador Harman launched the Irish EU Presidency in Madrid on Tuesday 8 January at an open-air flag raising ceremony organised by the European Commission and Parliament. Among those present was the Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union, Inigo Méndez de Vigo, and the Ambassador of Cyprus. Secretary of State de Vigo gave a warm welcome  to the Irish Presidency, highlighting Ireland’s positive reputation for  “can-do” Presidencies. Ambassador Harman outlined the key objectives of the Irish presidency: stability, jobs and growth,  with a particular focus on banking union and tackling youth unemployment.

The choir from Colegio San Patricio in Madrid, which has strong links to Ireland, sang the European Hymn, Beethoven's Ode to Joy, as the Irish flag was raised.

The Ambassador also announced the exhibition on display in the Comission Building at 46 Paseo de la Castellana, entitled "De Extranjeros a Ciudadanos" (Strangers to Citizens), which documents the story of Irish migration to Europe, including Spain, in the 17th and 18th centuries.  It will be there until the 13 January and can be visited for free anytime from 8.00-21.30 Mon-Fri.  

After the flag raising ceremony, the Ambassador hosted a working lunch in honour of Sr. José Manuel García Margallo, Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, together with other officials from the Foreign Ministery and the EU Ambassadors.

The Embassy has planned a wide range of events here in Spain, from policy seminars to an art exhibition, to celebrate our Presidency, and we will be sure to keep you informed of those as they happen.  You can also consult the official webpage of Ireland's EU PResidency, www.eu2013.ie, for more general information about Ireland's presidency priorities, press releases and how the Presidency works.

Article by Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore in El Pais, 8 January 2013, on Ireland's Presidency of the EU: Irlanda - una Presidencia para la recuperación

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Certificate of Irish Heritage

The government has announced the introduction of a certificate of Irish Heritage for individuals born outside the island of Ireland and who are able to demonstrate a direct ancestral connection with the island of Ireland.

For more information, please see here