This US city has a brand new Irish consulate

Los Angeles, California, has a brand new Consulate General of Ireland office

On Thursday, September 26, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar opened the newest Irish Consulate in the United States, celebrating the start of a new era for the Irish in Los Angeles and the surrounding area. 

“Great event in Los Angeles this evening to open our new Consulate, as part of our Global Ireland programme. LA has a global reputation for turning today’s ideas into tomorrow’s innovations. That’s one of the reasons we want to expand our presence in California,” the Taoiseach said. 

Our ambition is to extend & deepen our relationship with the creative industries here in LA. So I am really glad to announce today that @ScreenIreland has decided to re-establish its presence in Los Angeles, and will be working in close cooperation with our new Consulate.

— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) September 27, 2019

Accompanied by the Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti, Varadkar cut the ribbon on the seventh US Irish Consulate, opened as the latest step in a series of new foreign diplomatic missions that have been opened as part of 'Global Ireland,' a Government initiative that aims to double Ireland's international presence by 2025. 

The Los Angeles consulate will be overseen by the new Consul General of Ireland to Los Angeles, Orla Keane. 

“Our city is a global hub, and we’re glad to have a new home for the Irish community that will deepen our cultural understanding and promote business and investment between Ireland and Los Angeles,” said Mayor Garcetti of the opening. 

Read more: Contemporary Irish Arts Center Los Angeles pilot program set to launch

Honored to join Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar to open the new Irish Consulate in L.A.

Our city is a global hub, and we’re glad to have a new home for the Irish community that will deepen our cultural understanding and promote business and investment between Ireland and Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/VG7pXP1K2b

— Mayor Eric Garcetti (@MayorOfLA) September 27, 2019

While in Los Angeles, Taoiseach Varadkar also attended an event celebrating Ireland's contribution to the film industry, at which he committed to doubling the Irish audiovisual center. 

"The Irish Government has an open ear to the requests of the sector for creative ways in which we can assist. For example, through the amendment to the Taxes Consolidation Act," he said.