The Embassy’s History

Find out about the Embassy's history, including the establishment of diplomatic relations and our former Ambassadors.

Relationship between Ireland and Latvia

After a shared history of occupation, resistance and independence, the Irish and Latvian states took their places on the world map in 1918. Within a few years, both countries had joined the League of Nations where they cooperated until the League’s formal dissolution in 1946.

Over the years Irish/Latvian bilateral links have developed. Ireland was one of the countries which did not recognise the occupation of Latvia by the USSR, and moved quickly to re-establish diplomatic relations at Latvia’s restoration of independence in 1991.

Since the reestablishment of diplomatic relations there has been a steady pattern of cooperation between our two countries, including State visits by the Presidents of both states.

Latvia opened a resident Embassy in Dublin in 2003, and Ireland was honoured to welcome Latvia into the European Union during our 2004 EU Presidency. In 2005 the Irish Embassy opened in Rīga. It is now situated in a historic building at 13 Alberta Street, in the heart of Rīga’s Art Nouveau district.

Former Irish Ambassadors to Latvia

2005 - 2009: Tim Mawe 

2009 - 2010: Brendan McMahon 

2010 - 2015: Aidan Kirwan

2015-2020: Jim Hennessy