Call of Interest: Establishment of new Austro-Irish Business Association

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Call of Interest: In the absence of an Irish Austrian Business Association, the Embassy is keen to see a new business group established to fill this gap. The below letter of Ambassador O’Leary refers. If you have an interest in being part of such a group, please email vienna@dfa.ie. The Embassy will be happy to hear from you.

Dear All,

As we leave the restrictions of the pandemic behind us, I would like to draw your attention to the wide range of Irish associations and activities in Vienna and Austria. Beneath you will find a list of Irish associations, sports groups, state agencies and Irish music and dance groups. The major gap we have in terms of Irish presence in Vienna and Austria is the absence of an Irish Austrian Business Association. During the pandemic, the previous association, the work of which was greatly appreciated, came to an end. The Embassy is keen to see a new group founded which is open to business professionals who are Irish or have strong commercial links to Ireland and/or have strong commercial links to Irish companies, organisations or institutions. If you have an interest in being part of such a group, the Embassy will be happy to hear from you.

Team Ireland in Austria
The Embassy works in partnership with other Government agencies in promoting Irish business, tourism, trade and cultural ties in Austria.

Bord Bia
The Irish Food Board, known as Bord Bia, acts as a link between Irish food, drink and horticulture suppliers and existing and potential customers throughout the world. Bord Bia has a network of overseas offices and services Austria from its office in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland is the government organisation responsible for developing and growing Irish enterprises in world markets. Enterprise Ireland has a network of nine regional offices throughout Ireland and over 30 international locations and services Austria from its office in Düsseldorf, Germany.

IDA Ireland
IDA Ireland (Ireland's inward investment promotion agency) is responsible for attracting direct investment in Ireland. IDA Ireland has an office in Frankfurt, Germany. See Global Teams Contact Info | IDA Ireland for more.

Tourism Ireland
Tourism Ireland markets the island of Ireland as a holiday destination overseas. It devises and implements excellent marketing programmes and provides industry partners with opportunities to market their own products and services alongside Tourism Ireland overseas. Tourism Ireland has an office in Frankfurt, Germany as well as an Austrian point-of-contact. Please see further info here: Austria and Switzerland (tourismireland.com).

The Embassy supports a range of cultural initiatives throughout the year, collaborating with other groups in music, literature and the visual arts. Such initiatives are often held in cooperation with Irish cultural, business and sport associations, clubs or networks based in Austria. Culture Ireland promotes Irish arts worldwide, creating and supporting opportunities for Irish artists and companies to present and promote their work at strategic international festivals and venues.

Culture Ireland operates a range of funding programmes to support and promote the presentation of Irish arts internationally, including its Regular Grants Round. If you wish to seek funding for an event or initiative in Austria, please note that you must apply online via the Culture Ireland website well in advance of the date of your event.

Cultural and sports organisations based in Austria include for example:

1. Austro-Irish Society
2. Vienna Gaels GAA Club
3. Cumann Céilí Vín
4. Shamrock Irish Dance School
5. Irish Fire
6. DoDo Academy of Irish Dance

The websites for these groups are linked. If there are other groups who wish to be included on our list, please contact us.

Austria also has a vibrant local music scene which, inter alia, finds its expression at the annual Vienna Schottenfest as well as many excellent gigs around the country. The Vienna Songwriting Circle provides Irish musicians a great opportunity to network and showcase their talents in the Austrian capital. Should you wish to share details of upcoming events with the wider community please feel free to contact us.

Educational

Irish Studies at the University of Vienna
The Centre for Irish Studies at the University of Vienna is one of the most renowned in Europe and is a core member of the European Federation of Associations and Centres of Irish Studies (EFACIS). Thanks to a co-funding arrangement between the Embassy of Ireland and the University of Vienna, a valuable collaboration has evolved, resulting in a range of activities and events that ensure that Ireland leaves its mark on Austria’s rich cultural landscape.

Following a successful Saint Patrick’s Day programme, I look forward to the Irish Community in Vienna and Austria going from strength to strength.

Eoin O’Leary
Ambassador.

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