Edward S. Walsh has officially assumed the office of US Ambassador to Ireland after presenting his credentials to President of Ireland Michael D Higgins in a ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin on Tuesday, July 1.
Upon their arrival in Ireland, and before they can carry out their duties, new ambassadors must be officially welcomed by the President of Ireland.
Ambassadors are officially accredited to Ireland from the moment that the President accepts their credentials.
"President, I bring greetings from the people of the United States for your personal well-being and that of the people of Ireland," Walsh told President Higgins in Dublin on Tuesday.
"I am honored to be nominated as Ambassador of the United States to Ireland and confident that our relations between our two countries will develop even further during the time of my assignment."
President Higgins replied: "I want, in the first instance, to warmly reciprocate the greetings from the American people and to wish you and your family a very happy time in Ireland.
"Welcome to the neighborhood."
July 1, 2025: US Ambassador to Ireland Edward Walsh presents his credentials to President of Ireland Michael D Higgins.
Walsh was accompanied by his wife Lynn and members of their family for Tuesday's ceremony. He was also joined by Michael Clausen, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the United States of America.
July 1, 2025: US Ambassador to Ireland Edward Walsh with his family and President of Ireland Michael D Higgins.
Walsh was one of three new Ambassadors to Ireland to present their credentials on Tuesday.
After the ceremony, which was attended by Tánaiste Simon Harris, military honours were rendered outside the Áras.
Honored to present my credentials to @PresidentIRL and begin this new journey. ☘️ 🇺🇸 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/cHWzLBAK2O
— Ambassador Edward Walsh (@USAmbIreland) July 1, 2025
“It is the honor of a lifetime to assume the role of U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, and I am truly grateful to my friend, President Donald J. Trump, for his trust in me," Walsh said in a statement after Tuesday's ceremony.
"While this is my first foray into diplomacy, my business background and years of public service have taught me invaluable lessons that I will bring to my new role here.
"The United States and Ireland enjoy a relationship rooted in friendship, strengthened by partnership, and enriched by deep people-to-people ties.
"I am committed to building on this strong foundation and working closely with our Irish partners to advance our mutual interests."
In a video shared on social media, Walsh said he will be residing in Deerfield with his wife Lynn and their dog Ginger. The couple's three adult daughters - Rachel, Maggie, and Anna - will remain in the US, where they work and raise families.
Walsh noted that his family's roots "trace back to Ireland and County Clare."
Hi, I’m Ed Walsh from New Jersey. @POTUS has given me the honor to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Ireland. I look forward to strengthening the ties between our two GREAT countries! 🇺🇸 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/sECjKNoSqu
— Ambassador Edward Walsh (@USAmbIreland) July 1, 2025
US President Donald Trump announced Walsh as his choice to be the next US Ambassador to Ireland in December.
"Edward is the President of the Walsh Company, a very successful nationwide construction and real estate firm," Trump said in his December 14 announcement on Truth Social.
"He is a great philanthropist in his local community, and previously served as the Chairman of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority Board.
"He is also a Champion Golfer, a very good asset for the Ambassador of Ireland to have.
"Do well Ed!"
Before relocating to Ireland, Walsh was a resident of Bedminster, New Jersey, where the US President's Trump National Golf Club, of which Walsh is a member, is located.
According to the Washington Post, Walsh donated $25,000 to Trump's 2024 election campaign, while his wife also donated $25,000.
Following a confirmation hearing on May 1, Walsh's nomination was approved by the Senate with a vote of 57 to 38 on June 4. He was sworn in by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a ceremony in the White House's Oval Office, with Trump in attendance, on June 19.
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