On 27 August 1991, Ireland together with other countries in the European Economic Community recognised the Republic of Estonia, which led to establishing official diplomatic relations between Estonia and Ireland on 10 September 1991.
On this page you will find a timeline of Estonian–Irish relations: a chronological gallery of historical photographs, documents and texts that provides an overview of the key moments in the relationship between the two countries.
Have fun time travelling!
Public reading of the Estonian Declaration of Independence from the balcony of Endla Theatre in Pärnu. Photo: Collection of the Pärnu Museum
The Great Seal of the Irish Free State. Photo: Wikipedia
Note with consent from the British Foreign Office to appoint Richard Kelly as honorary consul. Photo: National Archives (ERA.957.3.450)
Letter from the Estonian Embassy in London to the Foreign Office in London regarding Richard Kelly’s nomination as an honorary consul. Photo: National Archives (ERA.957.3.450)
Letter from the Estonian Embassy in London to the Foreign Office in London regarding Richard Kelly’s nomination as an honorary consul. Photo: National Archives (ERA.957.3.450)
The next Estonian honorary consul in Dublin Thomas Franklin Laurie was appointed on 26 February 1937 and he was active until the end of 1938.
The front cover of the book Constitution of Ireland. Photo: Wikipedia
John McEvoy. Photo: National Archives
Map of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. Photo: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
First sitting of the Riigikogu elected under the conditions of occupation. Photo: Nädal Pildis, 1940
President O’Kelly signing the Act on 21 December 1948. Photo: Illustrated London News
Refugee ship Victory at the port of Cork, Ireland. Photo from the book Unustatud merereisid
The Johansons family of musicians has played an integral role in the cultural relations between Estonia and Ireland, it is with their music that they have brought Estonia closer to Ireland. In the photo, Irish Ambassador Paul Dempsey is listening to Johansons in winter 1995. Photo: Krista Kaer’s private collection
The first Irish group to visit Estonia included Garech Browne, a notable patron of traditional Irish music, who was awarded the Cross of Terra Mariana in 2003 for advancing Estonian-Irish relations.
In addition to music, cultural exchange between the two countries includes theatre and literature. Numerous plays by Irish playwrights or authors of Irish origin (Brian Friel, Martin McDonagh, Marina Carr) have been produced in Estonia. Irish writers have been translated extensively into Estonian and many renowned authors have visited Estonia (John Banville, Jennifer Johnston, Ciaran Carson, Paul Muldoon, Louise O’Neill).
The Baltic Way. Photo: National Archives, Harald Lepikson
Taking down the statue of Lenin in front of the building of the Central Committee of the Estonian Communist Party (now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) on 23 August 1991. Photo: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Peeter Langovitš
Letter from the Irish Embassy in Stockholm to the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Ambassador of Ireland Paul Dempsey presenting his credentials to Arnold Rüütel, the Chairman of Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia. Photo: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
The next Irish ambassadors in Estonia:
Dáithí O’Ceallaigh (1995–1998, residing in Helsinki)
Geaoróid Ó Broin (1999–2001, residing in Helsinki)
Sean Farrell (2001–2004, residing in Tallinn)
Noel Kilkenny (2004–2008)
Thomas Bolster (2008–2010)
Peter McIvor (2010–2014)
Frank Flood (2014–2018)
Frances Kiernan (2018–)
Riivo Sinijärv. Photo: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
The next Estonian ambassadors in Ireland:
Raul Mälk (1996–2003, resided in London and Tallinn)
Simmu Tiik (2003–2006, resided in Dublin)
Andre Pung (2006–2010)
Mait Martinson (2010–2014)
Kristi Karelsohn (2014–2018)
Aino Lepik von Wirèn (2018–)
Irish Culture Week in Tallinn, autumn 1995. Dave Murphy and Harry Bent performing in the Kloostri Ait Café. Photo: Krista Kaer’s private collection
The cultural programme included Irish poetry recited by poets Nuala Ni Dhomhnailli and Frank Onnsby, lectures on Irish culture, and performances by Irish musicians Dave Murphy, Harry Bent, Len Graham, and John Cambell. During the week, an Irish film programme was shown at the Kinomaja Cinema, an exhibition on books about Ireland and the Irish people was opened in the National Library.
The Estonian Embassy in Dublin from 1997-2010 was located at 24 Merlyn Park, Ballsbridge. Photo: Jüri Seilenthal
Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and President Lennart Meri in a meeting in Kadriorg Palace. Also pictured: Estonian Charge d’Affaires in Ireland Jüri Seilenthal (on the left) and Irish Ambassador to Estonia Dáithí O’Ceallaigh (on the right). Photo: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Voldemar Maask
Prime Minister Bertie Ahern visited Estonia also in June 2003 and May 2004.
Presidents Mary McAleese and Lennart Meri meeting in Kadriorg Palace. Photo: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Coat of arms and plaque of the Embassy of Ireland. Photo: Heini Vilbiks
Estonian Ambassador Simmu Tiik and Mayor of Galway Terry O’Flaherty at the opening of the sculpture. Photo: Estonian Embassy in Dublin
Hoisting of the European Union flags in front of Kadriorg Palace. Photo: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Erik Peinar
Arvo Pärt’s exhibition poster
On 15-17 February in Dublin, the RTÉ Living Music Festival was dedicated to Arvo Pärt’s work. On the opening night in the National Concert Hall (NCH), Tõnu Kaljuste conducted the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and RTÉ Philharmonic Choir.
In the framework of the festival, the embassy in cooperation with RTÉ Performing Group opened the exhibition ‘Arvo Pärt – Renowned and Unknown’.
Presidents Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Mary McAleese with spouses. Photo: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Erik Peinar
President Toomas Hendrik Ilves meeting with President of Ireland Michael Higgins. Photo: President’s Office, Tony Maxwell
Ambassador Kristi Karelsohn and honorary consul John Dennehy at the opening of the honorary consulate. Photo: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins and President of the Riigikogu Eiki Nestor. Photo: Estonian Embassy in Dublin
Prime Ministers Leo Varadkar and Jüri Ratas at the Tallinn Digital Summit. Photo: Annika Haas
Prime Minister Jüri Ratas speaking in the National Concert Hall in Dublin. Pictured right: Estonian Ambassador to Ireland, Kristi Karelsohn. Photo: Jüri Ratas Facebook
Éireesti concert poster
Ambassador Aino Lepik von Wirén presenting her credentials. Photo: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Ambassador Frances Kiernan presenting her credentials. Photo: Irish Embassy in Tallinn
President of the Riigikogu Eiki Nestor and Speaker of the Dáil Seán Ó Fearghaíl. Photo: Riigikogu, Erik Peinar
President of the Riigikogu Eiki Nestor and Speaker of the Dáil of Ireland Seán Ó Fearghaíl. Photo: Estonian Embassy in Dublin
Logo of Estonia as an elected member at the UNSC
During the visit, MM met with the Estonian Prime Minister, Kaja Kallas (KK), and they held a joint press conference. The main topic of discussion was Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. Prime Minister Martin also visited the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) and the e-Briefing Centre.
The meeting took place at Ireland’s request and was attended by the Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Margus Tsahkna (MT), and PB. During the visit, PB took part in the Irish flag-raising ceremony at the CCDCOE, marking Ireland’s official accession as a member. The accession was formally confirmed in the autumn.
Senator Aidan Davitt, chair of the Ireland–Estonia Parliamentary Friendship Group established on 22 November 2022, and Charles Flanagan, chair of the Irish Foreign Affairs Committee and former Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited the Estonian Parliament, where they met with members of the Estonia–Ireland Friendship Group.