Ireland’s relationship with France
Enduring friendship and affinity going back centuries
Ireland’s relationship with France is one of enduring friendship and affinity going back centuries.
The Ireland-France relationship evokes memories of our shared Norman, Huguenot and Celtic heritage, the Flight of the Wild Geese at the end of the 17th century and the spirit of the French Revolution a hundred years later which so captured the imagination of Wolfe Tone and the United Irishmen.
Even Ireland’s national flag was inspired by the French tricolour.
Peace and prosperity
Today Ireland and France work together for peace and prosperity – both in the United Nations and in our shared home in the European Union.
Our political and economic relations are thriving. Our people-to-people links are stronger than ever before while culture remains at the heart of our connections.
Economic relations
France is Ireland’s fifth largest trading partner and a priority market for our trade promotion agencies. Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Tourism Ireland, all work closely with the Irish Embassy in Paris and our Consulate General in Lyon.
Investment between our countries is flourishing, with two-way trade totalling more than €30 billion annually. Growing exchanges have created opportunities for both countries. France is Ireland’s third largest market for Irish indigenous company exports. Irish companies now employ more than 30,000 people across France.
Irlande et France: une amitié et une affinité durables
People-to-people connections
Ireland and France are closer than ever before and connectivity between our countries is increasing. There are now over 190 flights a week in high season from Ireland to 21 destinations in France and over 40 weekly maritime connections. Our holidaymakers find adventure and amitié every time they make the short journey across the sea.
The island of Ireland welcomes over 500,000 French visitors every year, making France Ireland’s fourth-largest source market for tourists. Irish tourists visit France in similar numbers every year, making France our third most popular destination.
Culinary delights bring both of our nations to the table. France is Ireland’s second largest Eurozone export market for food and beverages. This makes France our fourth largest market globally in this category.
Cultural connections
Ireland’s cultural imprint in the French imagination is remarkable. Some of our greatest artists have left an indelible mark on France, for example James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Oscar Wilde and Eileen Gray.
Our traditional music and dance are known and loved throughout France. Sharing a Celtic heritage binds us especially to Brittany, the closest EU region to Ireland. More and more, Irish contemporary cultural production in cinema, music, fashion and other sectors is breaking through to French audiences.
Today, the beating heart of that cultural exchange is the Centre Culturel Irlandais. Housed at the historic Irish College in the heart of the Latin Quarter, Centre Culturel Irlandais is Ireland’s cultural flagship in Europe.
Sporting friendships
Even though the words we speak are different, sport is a language that’s universal. There are 27 GAA clubs in France, 90% of whose players are French. Participation is growing.
With the 2023 Rugby World Cup and the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, sporting rivalries are being transformed into lasting friendships.