Ambassador Neary

Ambassador Neary took up his position in The Hague in September 2014. He presented his credentials to King Willem-Alexander on 1 October 2014.

Failte róimh go dtí suíomh gréasáin Ambasáid na hÉireann i Ríocht na hÍsiltíre.

Welcome to the website of the Irish Embassy to The Netherlands.

Here you will find information about the bilateral relationship between Ireland and The Netherlands and about the services provided by the Embassy.

Links between our two countries go back a long time. There are many affinities between Irish and Dutch people and friendships between them are warm and close. Diplomatic relations between Ireland and The Netherlands were established in 1945 and the Irish Embassy in The Hague was opened in 1950.

The Embassy’s job is to promote closer ties between Ireland and The Netherlands at the levels of government, business, culture and people. The Netherlands is an important partner for Ireland in the European Union and we want to strengthen our cooperation in this area. The Netherlands is also a very significant market for Ireland in trade, investment and tourism. The Embassy works closely with Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, and IDA Ireland to promote Irish economic interests in this country.

The Embassy also supports Tourism Ireland in promoting Ireland as a place for Dutch people to visit for tourism or study. Many of them know Ireland as a green island with a wonderful environment and great historical and natural attractions but there is also a modern Ireland with a high tech economy and vibrant universities and research institutions.

One of Ireland’s greatest strengths is our Culture and the Embassy organises and supports a number of cultural activities every year. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter where you will find details of these events as well as other news about Ireland.

Finally, the Embassy is here to assist Irish people who may require support so please do not hesitate to contact us if we can help. We want to provide the best possible service to our citizens and to the Irish community in The Netherlands so please let us know if you think we can do better. We value your feedback and will use it to improve the services we offer.

John Neary
Ambassador of Ireland
The Hague

Ambassador Neary’s Biography

Born in Drogheda, Co. Louth, in 1951, John was educated at Clongowes Wood College and University College Dublin, where he graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1973.

He joined the Department of Foreign Affairs on 30 December 1974. His early career included assignments in the Political, Economic and Overseas Aid Divisions of the Department as well as postings in the Embassies in Luxembourg, London and Riyadh. From 1989-1991 he was Deputy Head of Ireland’s delegation to the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe.

John served as Head of Personnel and Planning from 1994 to 1998 and was responsible for the organisational arrangements for Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union in 1996.

After three years at the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU in Brussels, John returned to Dublin in 2001 to lead the Consular and Passport Division of the Department where he oversaw the introduction of the new passport system in 2004. He also served as Inspector General for Irish Diplomatic and Consular Missions abroad and as Director General of the Promoting Ireland Abroad Division which was centrally involved in the Department’s efforts to promote Ireland’s economic recovery after the global financial crisis in 2008.

In 2010, John was appointed as Ambassador to Japan where he spent four years building up links between Ireland and Japan.

John is married to Kathleen White and they have three adult children.