Ireland's relationship with Lithuania
In September 1935, Lithuanian aviator Feliksas Vaitkus became the sixth pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic. Battered by stormy weather, he was guided by radio broadcasts from Dublin, until he could make an emergency landing in a field just outside Ballinrobe, County Mayo.
Vaitkus’ flight is a fascinating early episode in the story of the warm relationship between Ireland and Lithuania. Had Vaitkus made his landing today, he would be one of over 30,000 Lithuanians in Ireland who are now contributing to that story, as too are the Irish community in Lithuania.
Shared values and history
Ireland and Lithuania are small countries on opposite sides of Europe, however the two countries have much in common. Democratic values, a respect for nature, and a history spent fighting for independence are all shared by both countries.
Ireland never recognised the Soviet annexation of Lithuania, and when Lithuania’s independence was restored, many Irish came to Lithuania in the strengthening of the renewed state.
Lithuania joined the European Union in May 2004, during Ireland's EU Council Presidency. Lithuania was welcomed into the EU family in a ceremony in the Phoenix Park in Dublin, and since then, thousands of Lithuanians have come to live and work in Ireland.
Ireland opened its Embassy in Lithuania in 2005. The Embassy is based in Gedimino Prospektas 1, the same building where the Sąjūdis organisation led the movement for the restoration of Lithuania’s independence. This historic building can now be seen as symbol of Ireland and Lithuania’s shared values. These values of human rights, rule of law, and respect for cultural heritage are expressed in a variety of ways in the Irish-Lithuanian relationship today. Thousands of citizens of Ireland and Lithuania continue to move between the countries, for work, for family, or to study.
Economic relations
Baltic amber has been found in Viking artefacts in Ireland dating from the 10th century, in an early expression of the healthy and fruitful trade relationship between Ireland and Lithuania. Trade between Irish and Lithuanian businesses is today worth over €690 million, particularly as both countries look towards more innovative and sustainable methods of conducting business.
As well as goods and services, Irish and Lithuanian culture also crosses the continent, as music, dance, art, and literature are all shared in performances, publications, and exhibitions across both countries.