The links between Wales and Ireland

Ireland is Wales' fourth largest export market, with the value of Welsh exports to Ireland in 2020 reaching £1.2 billion. Around 80 Irish companies employ 5,000 people in Wales.

At any time, there are research projects taking place with teams from Welsh and Irish universities. Aberystwyth University has a whole department dedicated to the relationship between Wales and its Celtic family - the Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies. It specialises in the literature and language of the Celtic countries from the 6th century to today, and collaborates on research with universities in Ireland, Scotland, France and beyond.

The BUCANIER project (which stands for 'Building Clusters and Networks in Innovation Enterprise and Research'), supports innovation and growth in and between Wales and Ireland. It focuses on the food and drink, life sciences and renewable energy industries. Around 120 small businesses in Wales and Ireland are benefiting from the €2.9 million EU funded scheme over three years. The support available from the fund can help with idea generation, development, product testing, services planning, knowledge sharing, cross-border trade and job creation.

There's a dedicated Consul General, Denise Hanrahan, who represents Ireland in Wales, and a full-time representative of the Welsh Government based in the British Embassy in Dublin. Together, they work to ensure the relationship between Wales and Ireland remains strong.

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