Ireland's relationship with Brazil
Our shared diaspora and growing links
Brazilians take great interest in Irish culture and remain one of the region’s leading promoters of Irish literature and performing arts, with a rich annual calendar of events. The affinity diaspora has proudly flown the Irish flag for decades, thanks partly to long-term partnerships supported by the Emigrant Support Programme.
Prominent Brazilian researchers, along with award-winning dancers and musicians, lead events in major capitals across the country, including Brasília, São Paulo, Florianópolis, and Rio de Janeiro.
The Irish Business Network Brazil, formed mostly by Irish professionals in Rio and São Paulo, has also worked to raise Ireland’s profile through its outreach.
The Brazilian diaspora in Ireland, now numbering well over 40,000 residents, has made invaluable contributions to the Irish economy and the communities they have embraced over the years. They also serve as a vital link between our two countries, fostering partnerships and cooperation in various areas of mutual interest.
Climate and environment
Ireland has a strong tradition of values-based engagement in Brazil, including in the areas of climate change and human rights.
Roger Casement’s legacy in championing human rights is honoured today with the Roger Casement Fellowship, which allows Brazilian students to undertake a fully funded Master’s degree in Ireland in areas related to human rights.
Ireland also supports Indigenous and local communities in Brazil, including by funding projects with various NGO partners that are active across the country.
Education and culture
Several Irish universities maintain strong links with their Brazilian counterparts, and thousands of Brazilian students have studied in Irish higher education institutions in recent years.
Many Brazilians have a deep affinity to Irish and Celtic culture, including to celebrations such as Bloomsday and Hallowe’en.
The Irish Studies landscape in Brazil is one of the most prolific in the world, with activities taking place across several Brazilian universities, including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Salvador, Rondonópolis and Florianópolis.
The vibrancy of the relationship in these sectors is also reflected in the many affinity diaspora organisations that are active in Brazil. These include the WB Yeats Chair of Irish Studies at the University of São Paulo; the Nucleus of Irish Studies at the Federal University of Florianópolis; the nationwide Brazilian Association for Irish Studies (ABEI); and a Brazilian chapter of Comhaltas Céoltóirí Éireann (Comhaltas Brasil) promoting traditional Irish music in Rio.
Political ties
2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Brazil.
Our political relations are strengthened through the presence of respective Embassies in both Brasília and Dublin, as well as by the Consulate General of Ireland in São Paulo. Major high-level visits in recent years have included that of Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, to Brazil in 2024.
Parliamentary Friendship Groups are also in place in both Ireland and Brazil, building relations between Irish TDs and representatives in the Brazilian Congress.
Trade and investment
Enterprise Ireland and IDA both have their regional offices headquartered in Brazil, demonstrating the country’s significance in the region. Education in Ireland is also present in the country, promoting Ireland’s higher education excellence and helping to secure Ireland’s fourth-place position among Brazilian students’ preferred English-language destinations.
Economic links between Ireland and Brazil continue to prosper; Brazil is Ireland’s second-largest trading partner in the region, and a large number of Irish companies have thriving operations in the country, across a range of sectors.