30 Years of Diplomatic Relations between Estonia and Ireland

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.

For the anniversary year, we have compiled a timeline of Estonian–Irish relations. It is a chronological gallery of historical photographs, documents, and texts, which provides an overview of the important moments of the relations between the two countries.

We would like to thank everyone who have contributed to the collection of facts, photos, and documents!

To see the photo captions, hover your cursor over the photo.

Have fun time travelling!

Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Embassy of Estonia in Dublin

24 February 1918

The independence of the Republic of Estonia was declared

Public reading of the Estonian Declaration of Independence from the balcony of Endla Theatre in Pärnu. Photo: Collection of the Pärnu Museum

At the initiative of the Salvation Committee, the Estonian Declaration of Independence was compiled and publicly read aloud on 23 February 1918 from the balcony of Endla Theatre in Pärnu. The next day, on 24 February 1918, the Salvation Committee declared Estonia an independent democratic republic.

6 December 1922

Irish Free State (Saorstát Éireann in Irish) was established

The Great Seal of the Irish Free State. Photo: Wikipedia

10 January 1927

Estonia’s first honorary consul in Dublin Richard J. Kelly was granted an exequatur by the Foreign Office in London

Note with consent from the British Foreign Office to appoint Richard Kelly as honorary consul. Photo: National Archives (ERA.957.3.450)

Kelly was active in the banking sector as well as in journalism and worked as the Estonian honorary consul until his death in 1931.
The consulate was located at 7 Ailesbury Road.

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.

29 December 1937

A new constitution, Bunreacht na hÉireann, came into force, replacing the constitution of the Irish Free State and naming the country Éire (Ireland)

The front cover of the book Constitution of Ireland. Photo: Wikipedia

25 March 1939

The appointment of Estonian honorary consul in Dublin John McEvoy, who was granted the exequatur on 16 June 1939

John McEvoy. Photo: National Archives

John McEvoy worked for an Irish-American oil company; the consulate was located at 1 & 2 Upper O’Connell Street.
In 1941, he successfully defended Estonian ship owners in court against the Soviet claim for possession of the ships. McEvoy acted as the Estonian honorary consul until his death in 1960.

Note from the British Foreign Office, recognising John McEvoy as the honorary consul of Estonia in Dublin. Photo: National Archives (ERA.957.3.449)

John McEvoy’s letter regarding his appointment as the honorary consul of Estonia in Dublin. Photo: National Archives (ERA.957.3.449)

23 August 1939

The Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact was signed in Moscow, and its secret supplementary protocol divided Eastern Europe between Germany and the USSR, paving the way for the occupation and annexation of the Republic of Estonia

Map of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. Photo: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia

21 June 1940

A coup d’état was carried out in Estonia with the support of the Red Army

First sitting of the Riigikogu elected under the conditions of occupation. Photo: Nädal Pildis, 1940

The incorporation of the Republic of Estonia into the Soviet Union began. The government of the Estonian SSR ordered the liquidation of all Estonian embassies, consulates, and honorary consulates and the transfer of their assets to the local offices of the USSR. By 25 August, all foreign envoys in Estonia were required to leave. Ireland never recognised the occupation and incorporation of Estonia into the Soviet Union.

18 April 1949

The Republic of Ireland Act came into force, declaring that Ireland may be officially described as the Republic of Ireland, ending the remaining statutory role of the British monarchy in relation to the state, and transferring the functions to the President

President O’Kelly signing the Act on 21 December 1948. Photo: Illustrated London News

30 September 1949

The refugee ship Victory on its way from Sweden to Canada stopped at the port of Cork, Ireland. The ship was carrying 387 refugees, including 256 Estonians

Refugee ship Victory at the port of Cork, Ireland. Photo from the book Unustatud merereisid

As the ship was deemed unsuitable for an ocean voyage, it was not allowed to leave the port of Cork. Most of the passengers were accommodated in former military barracks. The majority of the passengers were able to travel to Canada, but some were forced to return to Sweden.

August 1988

In 1988, an extraordinary cultural exchange project took place, when 20 folk musicians from Ireland visited the ESSR for the first time, and a few months later, well-known Estonian cultural figures and musicians traveled to Ireland

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

Among the cultural figures were theatre producer Priit Pedajas, writer and poet Jaan Kaplinski, the folk group Kukerpillid, the Johanson family of notable musicians, and many others. The documentary A Tale of Two Visits tells the story of the meetings between the Estonians and the Irish in 1988.

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).

1988-1989

Efforts to restore independence

The Baltic Way. Photo: National Archives, Harald Lepikson

The Singing Revolution in Estonia and the other Baltic States in 1988 and the Baltic Way in 1989 brought widespread international support. On 23 August 1989, on the 50th anniversary of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, a long human chain (the Baltic Way) was formed across the three Baltic States, where people joined hands to draw attention to the situation in the Baltic States.

20 August 1991

The Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia adopted a resolution on Estonia’s national independence. The Republic of Estonia was restored on the basis of legal continuity

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

27 August 1991

Ireland amongst other countries in the European Economic Community recognised the Republic of Estonia

10 September 1991

Estonia and Ireland established diplomatic relations

Letter from the Irish Embassy in Stockholm to the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia

3 December 1991

The first Ambassador of Ireland in Estonia, Paul D. Dempsey, presented his credentials

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 ambassador resided in Stockholm.

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–)

20 April 1994

The first Estonian Ambassador to Ireland, Riivo Sinijärv, presented his credentials

Riivo Sinijärv. Photo: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia

The ambassador resided in London.

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–)

Autumn 1995

Irish culture conquers Tallinn

Irish Culture Week in Tallinn, autumn 1995. Dave Murphy and Harry Bent performing in the Kloostri Ait Café. Photo: Krista Kaer’s private collection

From 28 October until 4 November, the Irish cultural week took place in Tallinn in cooperation with the British Council and the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland. During one week, people in Tallinn could become acquainted with the culture of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

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.

10 April 1997

Charge d’Affaires Jüri Seilenthal, the first Estonian diplomat residing in Ireland, presented his credentials; the Estonian Embassy in Dublin was located at 24 Merlyn Park, Ballsbridge

The Estonian Embassy in Dublin from 1997-2010 was located at 24 Merlyn Park, Ballsbridge. Photo: Jüri Seilenthal

Since December 2010, the Estonian Embassy has been located in an office building at Iveagh Court, Harcourt Road.

The office building where the Estonian Embassy has been located since 2010. Photo: Danek Kaunissaare

27 April 1998

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern on a working visit to Estonia

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 met with President Lennart Meri, Prime Minister Mart Siimann, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Toomas Hendrik Ilves.

Prime Minister Bertie Ahern visited Estonia also in June 2003 and May 2004.

24-26 May 2001

President of Ireland Ms Mary McAleese on a state visit to Estonia

Presidents Mary McAleese and Lennart Meri meeting in Kadriorg Palace. Photo: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia

President Mary McAleese met with President Lennart Meri, President of the Riigikogu Toomas Savi, and Mayor of Tallinn Jüri Mõis and visited Tartu where she gave a lecture titled “European Union – Irish experiences and perspectives”.

15 November 2001

The Embassy of Ireland opened in Tallinn

Coat of arms and plaque of the Embassy of Ireland. Photo: Heini Vilbiks

At first, the embassy was located at the Radisson Hotel at Rävala 3, then at Vene 2 (2002-2015) and at Rahukohtu 4, and currently in an office building at Rävala 5.

24 April 2004

Opening of a double sculpture by Tiiu Kirsipuu depicting writers Oscar Wilde and Eduard Vilde in a pedestrian street in the city centre of Galway

Estonian Ambassador Simmu Tiik and Mayor of Galway Terry O’Flaherty at the opening of the sculpture. Photo: Estonian Embassy in Dublin

A replica of the sculpture (the original was opened in Tartu on 30 May 1999) was given as a gift from the Government of Estonia and Tartu City Council to Ireland that held the presidency of the Council of the EU at the time to celebrate Estonia’s accession to the EU.

1 May 2004

Estonia became a member of the European Union

Hoisting of the European Union flags in front of Kadriorg Palace. Photo: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Erik Peinar

The Treaty of Accession of Estonia, Cyprus, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary to the European Union entered into force. The largest and most diverse enlargement of the European Union took place during the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

February 2008

Introducing the work of Estonian composer Arvo Pärt in Ireland

Arvo Pärt’s exhibition poster

The Deer’s Cry premiered on 13 and 14 February 2008 in St. Peter’s Church in Drogheda and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dundalk, performed by the State Choir Latvija.
The choral piece The Deer’s Cry was composed in 2007 on commission from the Louth Contemporary Music Society. The Deer’s Cry and other works by Pärt were also performed at a concert in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dundalk.

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’.

14-17 April 2008

President Toomas Hendrik Ilves on a state visit to Ireland

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 met with President of Ireland Mary McAleese and Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, opened an Estonian-Irish business seminar, gave a lecture at the Institute of European Affairs on e-government and innovation, and visited historic sites in Ireland.

2-4 April 2012

President Toomas Hendrik Ilves on a working visit to Ireland

President Toomas Hendrik Ilves meeting with President of Ireland Michael Higgins. Photo: President’s Office, Tony Maxwell

President Toomas Hendrik Ilves met with President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins and Prime Minister Enda Kenny. He made a presentation on cybersecurity at a conference in the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA).

4 July 2016

Estonian honorary consulate was opened in Cork

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

John Dennehy was the Estonian honorary consul and his consular region covered the counties of Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, and Kerry. John Dennehy acted as the honorary consul of Estonia until 27 November 2018.

27 February-1 March 2017

President of the Riigikogu Eiki Nestor on an official visit to the Republic of Ireland

President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins and President of the Riigikogu Eiki Nestor. Photo: Estonian Embassy in Dublin

President of the Riigikogu Eiki Nestor met with President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins, Speaker of the Dáil (lower house of the Oireachtas; Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann) Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Chairman of the Seanad (upper house of the Oireachtas; Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann) Denis O’Donovan and the members of Oireachtas’ Ireland-Estonia Friendship Group.

28-29 September 2017

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on a visit to Estonia to attend Tallinn Digital Summit

Prime Ministers Leo Varadkar and Jüri Ratas at the Tallinn Digital Summit. Photo: Annika Haas

The Summit was organised by the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, in cooperation with the President of the European Council and the European Commission.

31 January 2018

The Republic of Estonia turned 100 years old. In Dublin, Estonia’s centenary was celebrated in the National Concert Hall with a concert of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir on 31 January 2018

Prime Minister Jüri Ratas speaking in the National Concert Hall in Dublin. Pictured right: Estonian Ambassador to Ireland, Kristi Karelsohn. Photo: Jüri Ratas Facebook

Prime Minister Jüri Ratas was on a visit to Ireland, accompanied by a business delegation.

August 2018

Tour of joint concerts ÉIREESTI 1988-2018

Éireesti concert poster

Irish folk musicians visited Estonia, including three original participants of the expansion of the Estonian-Irish cultural space in 1988. Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich (Brendan Begley), Seán Garvey, Néillidh Ó Maolagáin (Néillidh Mulligan), Seán Ó Broin, Seán Gilrane, Fiachra Ó Maolagáin, Tom Ó Maolagáin came to Estonia. The Irish musicians were on stage together with the Johansons, Indrek Kalda, and Celia Roose. Concerts took place in Tartu, Viljandi, and Tallinn.

4 September 2018

Estonian Ambassador in Ireland, Aino Lepik von Wirén presented her credentials to President Michael D. Higgins

Ambassador Aino Lepik von Wirén presenting her credentials. Photo: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia

4 September 2018

Irish Ambassador to Estonia Frances Kiernan presented her credentials to President Kersti Kaljulaid

Ambassador Frances Kiernan presenting her credentials. Photo: Irish Embassy in Tallinn

13 September 2018

Speaker of the Dáil of Ireland Seán Ó Fearghaíl on a visit to Estonia

President of the Riigikogu Eiki Nestor and Speaker of the Dáil Seán Ó Fearghaíl. Photo: Riigikogu, Erik Peinar

20-21 January 2019

President of the Riigikogu Eiki Nestor participated in the commemoration of the centenary of the First Dáil in Dublin

President of the Riigikogu Eiki Nestor and Speaker of the Dáil of Ireland Seán Ó Fearghaíl. Photo: Estonian Embassy in Dublin

2021

Estonia and Ireland are fellow elected members of the United Nations Security Council

Logo of Estonia as an elected member at the UNSC

Estonia is an elected member at the UNSC in the years 2020-2021.
Ireland is an elected member at the UNSC in the years 2021-2022.

Logo of Ireland as an elected member at the UNSC

10 September 2021

Joint Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Eva-Maria Liimets and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence of Ireland Simon Coveney on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Estonia

Read the Joint Statement