Ireland's relationship with Great Britain

Britain is our closest neighbour and an important economic partner in terms of trade, investment and tourism. The British and Irish Governments enjoy a strong partnership that supports peace and prosperity for both countries.

The diversity of the connections between Ireland and Britain is represented not only in the strength of our economic ties, but most importantly through the lives of the many Irish citizens and descendants of Ireland who have made their homes in Britain.

Economic relations

The economies of both countries benefit from a significant flow of people, goods, investment, capital and ideas.

Ireland was the 6th largest trading partner for the UK in 2023, while over one third of Irish exports go to the UK. The UK remains the largest single destination for Irish food, drink and horticulture exports, reflecting the important two-way relationship between Ireland and our nearest neighbour.

Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Ireland was over €106.3 billion euro (£89.3 billion) in 2023, an increase of 7.0% on 2022. There has been sustained growth over the last decade, with a 58% increase in growth of goods exports from Ireland to the UK between 2013 and 2023. Similarly, there has been a 56% increase in imports from the UK to Ireland during the same period.

Cultural and people-to-people connections

The many and vital connections between Ireland and Britain give us much to celebrate and build on. This is evidenced by how well the large Irish community in Britain is integrated, and in the increasing number of British people who now live and work in Ireland.

According to statistics from the last census, there are over 520,000 Irish-born people living in England and Wales, with many cultural and community centres for the Irish community thriving across Britain.

In particular, the cultural relationship between Britain and Ireland is characterised by a rich exchange and mutual influence. Shared cultural elements such as language, literature, music, and sports have woven a complex tapestry of interconnected traditions.

Irish music, dance, and literary contributions have significantly influenced British culture, while British art, theatre, and media have found enthusiastic audiences in Ireland. Events like St. Patrick's Day are celebrated in both countries, showcasing a blend of traditions and shared festivities.

A prime example of the people-to-people links that Ireland shares with Britain is through the GAA, which is vibrant and active in Britain. There are 87 clubs across England, Scotland, and Wales and thousands of registered players.

There are also important historical ties for the game, as both the All-Ireland Senior Hurling and Football trophies are named after important figures with ties to Britain. Sam Maguire was a member of Hibernian GAA club in Fulham and played for London, while Liam MacCarthy was the son of Irish immigrants, and learned his hurling on Clapham Common.

Scotland and Wales

Ireland has strong ties to Scotland and Wales, with Consulates in both Edinburgh and Cardiff, where we work very closely with the devolved administrations.

There are close cultural, community, economic and political links with Scotland, which can be traced back decades, and even centuries. Since its opening in 1999, the Consulate in Edinburgh has sought to strengthen the already excellent relations between Ireland and Scotland, and to support the many Irish citizens who have made Scotland their home.

Tens of thousands of people in Scotland claim Irish heritage – a testament to the long history of migration and people-to-people connections. Scotland is an important cultural hub for Irish performers and major annual events such as the Edinburgh Festivals in August and Glasgow’s Celtic Connections in January are an important fixture in the Irish cultural calendar.

Thanks to our geography, Ireland and Wales share a common maritime story. The Irish Sea serves as a connection between us, and has been traversed by our peoples over millennia. Today, seaports at Fishguard and Holyhead continue to bring people and goods from across Wales and Britain to Rosslare and Dublin.

Irish and Welsh people have forged links through trade, people, education, culture, sport and our shared heritage.  The languages of Wales and Ireland belong to the same family; they are both classed as living Celtic languages, along with Breton and Scottish Gaelic.

Our shared history goes back to the days of St Patrick, who was himself a Welshman. Today, Wales is home to a large Irish diaspora community, in particular in the cities of Cardiff and Swansea.