Estonia and Ireland

Bilateral relations

Ireland (Éire) recognised the Republic of Estonia on 27 August 1991 and diplomatic relations were established on 10 September 1991.

Ireland's Ambassador to Estonia is Peter McIvor (as of 25 August 2010) and Estonia's Ambassador to Ireland is Mait Martinson (as of 14 September 2010).

Previously, Estonia was represented in Ireland by Ambassador Riivo Sinijärv (1994-1995), Ambassador Raul Mälk (1996-2003), Ambassador Simmu Tiik (2003-2006), Ambassador Andre Pung (2006-2010), Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Jüri Seilenthal (1997-1999), Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Triin Parts (1999-2002) and Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Krista Kilvet (2002-2003).

On 3 December 1991 Paul D. Dempsey, residing in Stockholm, was accredited as Ireland's first ambassador to Estonia. He was succeeded by Dáithí O'Ceallaigh (1995-1998) and Gearóid Ó Broin (1999–2001), both residing in Helsinki. The first ambassador to reside in Tallinn was Sean Farrell (2001-2004).

From 1927-1931 the honorary consul of the Republic of Estonia in Dublin was Richard J. Kelly, from 1937-1938 it was Thomas Franklin Laurie, and from 1938-1960 the role was fulfilled by John McEvoy.
As of 22 November 2010 the Estonian Embassy in Dublin has been working from a fully functioning office building located on Dublin’s main business and political streets. In addition to being more accessible to citizens and guests, it is hoped that the new location will provide a better sense of the various tides in Irish society. The representations of many other countries have also started following the example of the practical Nordic countries.

Visits

Agreements

• Agreement on Visa Free Travel (came into force 1 May 1996);
• Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and for the Prevention of Tax Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and Capital (came into force 29 December 1998);
• Agreement on the exchange of cultural experts (signed 16 Apr 1999).

Economic Relations

TRADE

According to the data of Statistics Estonia, in 2012 Ireland ranked as Estonia’s 35^th trade partner.  Trade with Ireland made up about 0.2% of total trade (53.8 million euros) and the balance was negative for Estonia. The primary articles of export in 2012 were plant products (wheat) – 59.5%; wood and wood products – 15.9%; chemical products – 5.7%. Among imports, the main categories were machinery and equipment  – 42.6%;  prepared food products and beverages – 25.3%; and chemical products – 17.4%.

According to Bank of Estonia data, as of 30 September 2012 Irish companies had made investments totalling 68 million euros in value in Estonia, which makes up 0.8% of all foreign investments in Estonia. Most Irish investments were made in real estate, wholesale and retail trade, agriculture, and wood processing. The largest Irish investments have been made the ProKapital Group, QBE Insurance Estonia, Balcas Estonia, and Myles EStamp. As of the same date Estonian companies had invested 6 million euros in Irelan

All economic figures originate from the Statistical Office of Estonia

Companies with the largest Irish ownership:

TOURISM

The Irish airline Ryanair opened a direct flight route between Tallinn and Dublin on 14 December 2010. Ryanair flew between Tallinn and Dublin twice a week. In the fall of 2012 the flights were stopped, but hopefully the route will be re-opened in the spring of 2013.

Culture and Education

An Agreement on Cultural Exchanges was signed between Estonia and Ireland in April 1999. Tartu University has good co-operation ties with the oldest university in Ireland, Trinity College. The EU’s Erasmus programme helps to maintain ties between educational institutions.

LITERATURE

A 2009 milestone in cultural relations was the publishing of the first tri-lingual Estonian-English-Irish collection of poetry. The trilingual version of Kristiina Ehin’s “Põletades pimedust” was introduced in Dublin in November. In October an Estonian language day took place for the first time in Ireland in co-operation with the Estonian Mother Tongue Society and the Ministry of Education and Research.

In 2012 Petrone Print published Kristiina Piip’s book “My Dublin” (“Minu Dublin”).

ART

In August 2011 the art festival “The Power of Local” took place on Ireland’s western coat in the town of Ennistymon. Estonia was represented there by the artists’ group Vedelik.

In April 2008, an exhibit was opened with the help of the Museum of Estonian Architecture entitled "History Reflected in Architecture". In November 2006, Aet Kuuskemaa's lithography exhibition about Tallinn and Endel Grensmann's aerial photography exhibition "Bird's-eye View of Estonia" were open to the public at the Dublin Municipal Building. Endel Grensmann’s exhibit of aerial photos was also on display in the European Union House in Dublin in February 2007.

In June 2006, in co-operation with the Japanese Embassy, Ann Tenno's photo exhibition "Japanese Garden" took place at Oscar Wilde's house in Dublin.

In January 2005, the Estonian Jewellers group FFFF’s exhibition at Cork Vision Centre helped open the Cultural Capital 2005 in that Irish city. In March 2005, Ene-Liis Semper and Mark Raidpere's exhibition was opened in Dublin's Temple Bar Gallery.

In March 2004, the exhibition "New Frontiers" was opened in the Irish National Art Gallery, where 6 works from the Estonian Art Gallery were on display: Konrad Mägi "Vilsandi motiiv" (Vilsandi Motif) 1913-1914, Arnold Akberg "Daam lapsega" (Lady with Child) 1926, Johannes Greenberg "Naine maskidega" (Woman with Masks) 1935, Andrus Johan "Köögis" (In the Kitchen) 1935, Kristjan Raud "Ohverdamine" (Sacrificing) 1935, Aleksander Vardi "Alasti suvel" (Naked in Summer) 1939.

MUSIC

In April 2011 the Viimsi Children’s Choir participated in the Cork International Choral Festival. The choir also gave a concert in St. Audoen’s Church in Dublin.

In February 2011 an evening of guitar music with Heiki Mätlik took place in the Royal Dublin Society House.

In 2009 Irish people had the opportunity to become acquainted with the exhibit compiled by the Estonian Theatre and Music Museum entitled “Arvo Pärt—Known and Unknown”.

The world premiere of Arvo Pärt's composition "The Deer's Cry" took place on 13-14 February. The piece was commissioned by the Louth Contemporary Music Society and was inspired by the text on St. Patrick's breastplate. Within the framework of the same event, Pärt's instrumental pieces "Fratres", "Spiegel im Spiegel", and "Für Alina" were also performed. In addition, the annual RTE Living Music festival that took place from 15-17 February was entirely dedicated to Arvo Pärt. The opening notes of the festival were sounded in the National Concert Hall by the RTE Philharmonic Choir under the direction of Tõnu Kaljuste. The works of Arvo Pärt were performed during many concerts in Dublin's largest concert halls. The composer himself was there, and it was possible for people to attend workshops within the framework of the festival. Rising young pianist Sten Lassmann was the opening act for Cork's yearly concert series "Our mEUsical partners" on 12 July 2007. The programme included works by Heino Eller. In September the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir conducted by Tõnu Kaljuste gave four concerts at various locations in Ireland.

Many Estonian choirs have participated in the Cork International Choral Festival, and conductors Eri Klas, Paul Mägi, Tõnu Kaljuste, and Kristjan Järvi have worked with Irish orchestras.

In November 2006, concerts by the Johanson siblings took place. They performed at Gobblestone Pub in Dublin and in O`Riada Hall at Cork University.

THEATRE, CINEMA, DANCE

The repertoires of Estonian theatres have long included the plays of Brian Friel ("Aristocrats" at the Estonian Drama Theatre) and Martin McDonagh ("Connemara:The Lonesome West" at the Rakvere Theatre, "The Cripple of Inishmaan" at the Tallinn City Theatre and "The Beauty Queen of the Mountains" at the Vanemuine Theatre). In 2003, McDonagh's play "The Lieutenant of Inishmore" had its premiere at the Estonian Drama Theatre and Judy Upton's play "Ashes and Sand", staged by the young Irish producer Annabelle Comyn, had its debut at the Estonian State Puppet Theatre.

Irish films have been shown at the Black Nights Film Festival. The Irish film "The Mighty Celt" was shown at the 9th festival. A special programme of the films of Neil Jordan, the most renowned Irish filmmaker, was held at the 10th festival. In addition, the documentary "The Traveller Girl" and "The Wind That Shakes the Barley", a film about the Irish War of Independence, which were both made in co-operation with other countries, participated in the festival.

The international Jameson Film Festival took place in Dublin in February 2008, which included the Estonian films "Autumn Ball" and "Class". In April, Imbi Paju's film "Tõrjutud mälestused" ("Memories denied") premiered in Ireland.

In November 2011 the Estonian films “Rat-trap” and “The Snow Queen” were screened at the Cork Corona Film Festival.

In July 2011 the dance troupe “Sõprus” performed at the Cork International Dance Festival and in many locations in County Cork.

Estonians in Ireland

According to the data of the 2011 census in Ireland, 2 560 Estonians lived in Ireland at that time. The proportion of Estonians in the population of Ireland is 0.05%. Over the past few years a remarkable number of Estonian children have been born in Ireland. The official organisation that brings Estonians together in Ireland is the Estonian Cultural and Sports Society. The society also organises a Sunday school for Estonians, which was held for the first time in September 2012.

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