Skip to main content

Please be advised that the Consulate General of Ireland, Chicago website has moved and this page is no longer being updated. The Consulate website is now available at Ireland.ie/chicago.

Irish Culture

By showcasing Ireland's rich cultural heritage, we can reap long-term and positive benefits for Ireland's reputation and its relationship with the people of America. We can also work to connect people with their Irish heritage.

Olympia Theatre Dame street Dublin

Culture & Heritage

Ireland's culture is a unique national strength and a source of particularly strong links between America and Ireland. It's one of our greatest competitive advantages, acting as a "door opener" that converts into jobs, trade, investment and tourism. It’s also our most effective way of connecting with the Irish community.

What we do

We're involved in a broad range of cultural activities, which raise awareness of Ireland and also enhance our ties with the United States of America. We promote cultural relations through a number of initiatives throughout the year. We collaborate with a wide range of groups and networks in the areas of music, fashion, film, visual arts, design, and the spoken word.

Your Irish Heritage

Some 70 million people around the world claim Irish roots. To find out more about tracing your Irish heritage, you may be interested in initiatives such as Ireland Reaching Out.

Get involved in Irish community activities

Over the years, generations of Irish people have made invaluable contributions to all aspects of life in their new homes, in politics, the arts, business and sport. Their patriotism coexists with the contribution they have made in their new communities.

Learn more about our engagement with Irish communities abroad:

the Emigrant Support Programme

the Global Irish Network

the Presidential Distinguished Service Awards

Learn more about Ireland

If you want to learn more about Ireland, you can read Ireland in Brief.

The Irish Film Board

The role of Screen Ireland is the national development agency for Irish filmmaking and the Irish film, television and animation industry, investing in talent, creativity and enterprise. The agency supports writers, directors and production companies across these sectors by providing investment loans for the development, production and distribution of film, television and animation projects.

The IFB also supports and promotes the Irish screen industries at major international markets and festivals, promotes inward investment, the use of Ireland as a location for international production and provides support for companies filming location in Ireland. The agency provides a strategic vision for industry training through Screen Training Ireland.

Visit Ireland

If you are interested in visiting Ireland, get more information from Tourism Ireland.

Our Commitment

We are committed to strengthening our relationship with the Irish people and people of Irish descent worldwide and to promoting what is best about our country.

In working together, we will ensure the continued respect and admiration in which Irish people and our culture are held worldwide.