Ireland - Singapore Relations
Ireland and Singapore have had strong links for many years. The Embassy plays an important role in fostering our friendly relations.
Diplomatic relations between Ireland and the Republic of Singapore were established in 1974. The resident Irish embassy opened in Singapore in 2000.
However Ireland’s links with Singapore are long and deep, reflected in the very names of the oldest streets, such as Dublin or Killiney, or in the schools such as Saint Patrick’s, Saint Joseph’s or the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus where, over the decades, Irish teachers helped to educate young Singaporeans.
The most famous of these educators was Brother Joseph McNally, Principal of St Patrick’s and founder of LASALLE College of the Arts, and the most recent Irish person to give his name to a street in Singapore.
The Saint Patrick’s Society of Singapore was founded in January 1925. For more on the men and women from Ireland who contributed to the development of Singapore in the 19th and 20th centuries, from roads to education, the legal system, to the Mass Rapid Transit, the Embassy commends An Irish Tour of Singapore by Irish historian Rosemary Lim.
Singaporeans have been coming to Ireland to study, medicine in particular, for over 70 years. In many cases, Singaporeans who study in Ireland form lifelong links with the country. Singapore-based alumni of Irish educational institutes can join the Irish Graduates Association of Singapore, which has close links with the Embassy.
The Embassy also works to promote other links between Ireland and Singapore, including in trade, business and culture.