Department of Foreign Affairs

Congratulations to the Irish Oscar nominees!

The Embassy would like to congratulate Irish Oscar nominees, director Peter McDonald and producer Eimear O'Kane, whose short film PENTECOST has been nominated for an Academy Award®, along with the team behind ALBERT NOBBS, the Irish production which has received three nominations for Best Actress (Glenn Close), Best Supporting Actress (Janet McTeer) and Best Make Up (Martial Corneville, Lynn Johnston and Matthew W. Mungle).

Commenting on the nominations, James Hickey, Chief Executive, Bord Scannán na hÉireann/ the Irish Film Board (IFB) said: "These nominations are the highest international recognition for Irish talent working in the film industry and also underline Ireland's reputation as a cultural hub. A key objective of the Irish Film Board is to support Irish creativity, creating international opportunities for Irish talent through our funding. Projects such as Albert Nobbs and Pentecost are examples of where this has been achieved. Congratulations to all the nominees."

Address by An Taoiseach: “Ireland Trading Its Way to Recovery”

On January 12^th in London, and ahead of his meeting with PM David Cameron, An Taoiseach Mr. Enda Kenny T.D. addressed a Reuters media event in London on the theme of “Ireland Trading Its Way to Recovery”. Further information and a copy of the full text of the Taoiseach’s address are available here.

Tánaiste presents 2012 OSCE Chairmanship priorities

On January 12th, 2012 in Vienna, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore T.D., addressed the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna and presented Ireland’s work priorities for the year ahead in his capacity as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. For further information and a copy of the full text of the Tánaiste’s address to the OSCE Permanent Council, click here.

Ireland Takes Over as Chair in Office of OSCE

On January 1, Ireland commenced its term as 2012 Chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and will seek to address protracted conflicts, promote Internet freedom and strengthen co-operation between the 56 OSCE participating States.

The new Chairperson-in-Office, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore T.D., said

“The world is facing unprecedented security challenges, and the multilateral co-operation made possible by the OSCE is needed now more than ever. Ireland is committed to upholding core OSCE values and promoting peace, security and respect for human rights and rule of law in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian region.”

For further information, click here.

Work and travel in Ireland

In 2008 the Irish and US Governments signed an agreement to enable Irish and US citizens to work and travel in each other's countries for up to 12 months. The agreement reflects not only the close historical and cultural links between Ireland and the United States of America, but also the vibrancy of the modern economic and commercial relationship between our countries.

In order to qualify for the programme participants should be either in post-secondary education or have recently graduated (ie within the last 12 months).

This new programme will not affect the operation of the highly successful Student Work and Travel programme which permits students from the US and Ireland to work and travel for several months every summer. This J1 programme will continue to exist as a separate, more limited programme.

HOW TO APPLY?

US citizens wishing to travel to Ireland under the terms of the agreement should make an application for a US Working Holiday Authorisation at the Embassy of Ireland in Washington or the Consulates General of Ireland in Boston, Chicago, New York and San Francisco. Please click here for contact details.