Ireland - Chile Relations
The Embassy plays an important role in fostering the political relationship between Ireland and Chile. Ireland and Chile enjoy a longstanding and warm relationship, which we wish to grow with the opening of our new Embassy in Santiago.
The historical links between Ireland and Chile date back to the 1500s when contingents of Irish mercenary soldiers were sent to Chile. Substantial numbers of Irish immigrants to Chile came in the 18thand late 19th centuries. One of the most notable Chileans of Irish descent is Bernardo O’Higgins, the independence leader and a founding father of Chile, whose father Ambrose (Ambrosio) was born in County Sligo.
President Michael D Higgins became the third Irish president in succession to visit Chile when he arrived in 2012, displaying the warmth of the friendship between the two countries.
Chile opened an embassy in Dublin in 2002. The current Ambassador is Mr. Cristián Streeter Nebel. The Embassy of Ireland in Chile was opened in March 2019. The Ambassador-designate of Ireland to Chile is Paul Gleeson. Ireland’s previous ambassador to Chile was Justin Harman, who was accredited to Chile from Buenos Aires.
Ireland and Chile enjoy a permanent dialogue mechanism which takes place every two years. This provides a means to discuss global and regional topics, including political, commercial, and cultural matters and an opportunity to build on the good relations between both countries.
There have been a number of exchange visits and delegations between Ireland and Chile in the past 20 years. In June 2010 The Irish patrol ship “LE Niamh” visited Valparaiso harbour as part of the celebrations of Chile’s Bicentenary. The ship carried medical supplies and materials donated by Cork University Hospital as part of their response to the earthquake which took place in February 2010.
In the same year “An Post” together with “Correos de Chile” launched two commemorative stamps with the images of Bernardo O’Higgins and General Juan MacKenna.
A bust of Bernardo O’Higgins was presented to the City of Dublin during the first historic visit of the training vessel “Esmeralda” to Ireland by the Chilean government in 1996. This bust can be found in Merrion Square, Dublin. There is also a commemorative park and plaque to Ambrosio and Bernardo O’ Higgins in Ballinary Co. Sligo. The plaque was placed there by the Ambassador of Chile in London in 1997.