Ireland - UAE Relations

The Embassy plays an important role in the positive relationship between Ireland and the United Arab Emirates.

Ireland and the United Arab Emirates have enjoyed excellent relations over many years.

Diplomatic relations between Ireland and the United Arab Emirates were established in 1974 on a non-residential basis.

Enterprise Ireland opened a regional office in Dubai in 2002. Ireland opened a visa office in Dubai in 2006 to encourage visits to Ireland, and the Irish Embassy opened in Abu Dhabi in October 2009 with a strong engagement in trade promotion.

The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Ireland opened in February 2010.

The UAE is Ireland’s second largest market in the Arab world.

Enterprise Ireland is also present in Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Tourism Ireland opened a regional office in Jebel Ali, UAE, in 2010. Bord Bia opened an office in Dubai in early 2014.

Etihad Airways’ Dublin-Abu Dhabi route, which opened in July 2007, has been one of their most successful start-ups. Etihad has a marketing arrangement with Tourism Ireland to encourage inward tourism from the Gulf, Far East and Australia. Etihad is a major sponsor of the GAA.

Emirates Airline commenced daily flights between Dubai and Dublin on 9 January 2012 and has since increased the capacity of the flights well ahead of schedule.