Relations between Türkiye and Ireland

Türkiye-Ireland relations had begun with the remanding of an Irish merchant ship which was captured by pirates while sailing to the Mediterranean Sea by the Ottoman Navy in the 16th century.

Ireland suffered the Great Famine between 1845 and 1851 resulting in the loss of lives of around one million of the Irish population and causing another million to flee overseas. During the Famine, the Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecit provided 1.000 Pounds of financial aid to Ireland. Furthermore, the Ottoman Empire sent ships carrying grain and food to the island. It is known that the Ottoman ships departing Istanbul were not allowed to enter the Port of Dublin, and thus had to unload their cargo secretly at the Port of Drogheda, a town 70 km further north of Dublin ( In remembrance of the aid, a plaque was unveiled on 2 May 1995 on the building which served as the City Hall of the period, on the occasion of celebrating the 800th Anniversary of the historical Town of Drogheda and in commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Great Famine).

Diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Ireland were established with an Exchange of Note Verbal in 1951. The Turkish Embassy in Dublin was opened on 10 December 1973, whereas the Irish Embassy in Ankara was opened in 1998.

Türkiye is among top destinations for Irish tourists. In 2023, the number of Irisih tourists visiting Türkiye reached 158.962.