Ireland-Bulgaria Relations

The Embassy plays an important role in strengthening the partnership between Ireland and Bulgaria, and the peoples of both countries.

Diplomatic relations between Ireland and Bulgaria were established in July 1990.

The first resident Irish Mission to Bulgaria was established in September 2003 to assist with the Irish Presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2004. At the end of the 2004 Presidency, responsibility for relations with Bulgaria reverted to the Embassy in Athens. The Embassy of Ireland was opened on a permanent basis in Sofia in 2005.

While Ireland and Bulgaria are situated at opposite sides of Europe, there are many similarities between the two countries. Both have a strong sense of history - indeed, there are many parallels between the historical experiences of Ireland and Bulgaria. In the early years of the Bulgarian state, two Irishmen James Bourchier and Pierce (The) O'Mahony made individual contributions assisting the new state. Bulgaria and Ireland are active and committed members of the European Union, which provides the framework for much of our relationship. Irish and Bulgarian people share a love of music, the arts, and traditional song and dance. Irish musicians, dancers and playwrights are always welcomed in Bulgaria, and a growing number of Irish authors have had their works translated into Bulgarian.

Irish resident Ambassadors to Bulgaria

Geoffrey Keating, 2005 - 2010 (accredited to Armenia and Georgia from 2007)

John Rowan, 2010 - 2013 (also accredited to Armenia and Georgia)

John Biggar, 2013 - 2015 (also accredited to Armenia and Georgia)

Michael Forbes, 2016 to date (also accredited to Armenia and Georgia)