PH Ambassador to Ireland Presents Credentials to President Higgins 

Philippine Ambassador Daniel R. Espiritu presented his credentials to President of Ireland Michael Daniel Higgins at the Aras an Uachtarain in the presence of Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Foreign Minister Simon Harris. 

DUBLIN 02 July 2025 — Philippine Ambassador to Ireland Daniel R. Espiritu presented his credentials on 01 July 2025 to the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins, at the Áras an Uachtaráin (Official Residence of the President) in Phoenix Park, Dublin.

During his subsequent tête-à-tête with President Higgins, Ambassador Espiritu expressed his pleasure at reopening the Philippine Embassy in Dublin after twelve long years of absence, in time for the Fortieth Anniversary of Philippine-Ireland diplomatic relations. 

The President welcomed the reopening of the Embassy and noted the sizable Filipino community living and working in Ireland, and contributing significantly to the nursing, accounting and the tech sectors. 

President Higgins highlighted the distinct warmth of the Filipinos. He expressed particular appreciation for the tender loving care professionally demonstrated by those who worked in the health sector. He said that he looked forward to a deeper engagement between Ireland and the Philippines on democracy and human rights, universal human values, social and environmental issues, as well as economic and political relations. 

The ambassador replied that while his mandate includes ensuring the welfare of Filipinos in Ireland, he is also keen to expand bilateral cooperation, in trade and investment, agriculture, health, renewable energy, as well as in collaboration in the multilateral arena. 

The ceremony concluded with the inspection of the Irish Honor Guards after the playing of the Philippine National Anthem. 

Ambassador Espiritu was joined at the official ceremony by Consul General Eric R. Aquino and Mrs. Carryn Espiritu. Also present for the Irish side was Irish Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister), Foreign Minister and Defense Minister Simon Harris. 

The Philippine Embassy in Ireland previously operated from 2009 to 2012, before its subsequent closure. Nevertheless, bilateral relations continued to expand, with the opening of the Irish Embassy in the Philippines in 2021, and the holding of bilateral consultations in Dublin in May 2024. In addition, the Filipino community in Ireland has also continued to grow, contributing to important local industries, and adding to the vital, dynamic immigrant population in the country. The Philippine Embassy in Ireland was therefore reopened, to support the growing community, and build upon recent, important contacts between the Philippines and Ireland. END

Philippine Ambassador Espiritu and Irish President Higgins are joined by Irish Tánaiste and Foreign and Defense Minister Simon Harris, Consul General Eric R. Aquino, and Mrs. Carryn Espiritu