The Ambassador of Ireland to Spain is the head of the Embassy of Ireland, Madrid, and the official representative of the Government of Ireland to the Government of Spain. The official title is Ambassador of Ireland to the Kingdom of Spain.
The incumbent Ambassador is Frank Smyth, who was appointed in 2021.
History Leopold H. Kerney was the first Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary and was appointed in September 1935. Kerney presented his credentials to the President of the Spanish Republic, Niceto Alcalá Zamora. The legation of the Irish Free State in Madrid was closed temporarily because of the Spanish Civil War. Kerney sought refuge in St Jean de Luz, on the French border with Spain.
In October 1950, the first Ambassador of Ireland was appointed following Ireland's departure from the Commonwealth.
List of representatives
Designated/Diplomatic accreditation Ambassador Observations Taoiseach List of prime ministers of Spain Term endLeopold H. KerneyÉamon de ValeraNiceto Alcalá ZamoraJohn Aloysius BeltonÉamon de ValeraFrancisco FrancoLeo McCauleyJohn A. CostelloFrancisco FrancoMichael Andrew Lysaght Rynne(1899-1981) John A. CostelloFrancisco Franco19621962Timothy Joseph HoranSeán LemassFrancisco Franco19671967James Wilfrid LennonJack LynchFrancisco Franco19701970Brian Gallagher (Irish diplomat)Jack LynchFrancisco Franco1974Charles Whelan (Irish diplomat)Liam CosgraveCarlos Arias NavarroDenis HolmesJack LynchAdolfo SuárezGearóid O ClérighCharles HaugheyFelipe GonzálezPatrick Walshe (Irish diplomat)Charles HaugheyFelipe GonzálezRichard Ryan (diplomat)John BrutonFelipe GonzálezPádraig MurphyBertie AhernJosé María AznarDeclan O'DonovanBertie AhernJosé María AznarPeter Gunning (Irish diplomat)Bertie AhernJosé Luis Rodríguez ZapateroJustin HarmanBrian CowenJosé Luis Rodríguez ZapateroDavid J. CooneyEnda KennyMariano RajoySíle MaguireLeo VaradkarMariano Rajoy20212021Frank SmythMicheál MartinPedro SánchezIncumbent
See also Ireland–Spain relations
References