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Australia–Ireland relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Australia and the Republic of Ireland. Australia and Ireland share a historical connection as both nations were colonized by the United Kingdom and remained part of the British Empire until their respective independence. Over 300,000 Irish settlers migrated to Australia to escape poverty in their homeland and over 2 million Australian citizens claim Irish ancestry. Both nations are mutual members of the Australia Group, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations.
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History
The first known Irish to arrive to Australia came with the First Fleet in 1791 when England shipped 155 Irish convicts to Australia after the British government created a penal colony in New South Wales. A further 700 Irish convicts would be shipped to Australia. Between 1840 and 1914, over 300,000 Irish migrated to Australia. As British colonies, both Irish and Australian soldiers fought side-by-side for the British Empire during the Second Boer War (1899–1902) and World War I (1914–1918), and especially during the Gallipoli Campaign. In December 1922, Ireland became an independent nation. In December 1931, after the signing of the Statute of Westminster, Australia became an independent sovereign nation.
Post-independence
In 1941, Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies became the first Australian Prime Minister to visit Ireland and he met with Irish Taoiseach Éamon de Valera . Both nations opened resident diplomatic missions in their respective capitals in 1946. During World War II, Ireland remained neutral while Australia fought alongside the British and allies during the war. In April 1948, Éamon de Valera traveled to Australia for a six week tour seeking support for a united Ireland as six counties of Northern Ireland wished to remain part of the United Kingdom. However, de Valera’s trip was unsuccessful as many Australian born Irish and migrants were not interested in the affairs of Ireland or had lost contact with their home nation. During The Troubles which began in the late 1960s in Northern Ireland, there was much sympathy from Australia to both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland which led to the formation of an ‘’Australian Aid for Ireland Organization’’. In 2000, Ireland opened a consulate-general in Sydney. Both nations have a Working holiday visa agreement.
State visits
Prime Ministerial visits from Australia to Ireland
Presidential and Prime Ministerial (Taoiseach) visits from Ireland to Australia
Trade
In 2016, trade between Australia and Ireland totaled $2.4 billion Australian dollars. Australia's main exports to Ireland include: medicaments, alcoholic beverages, sugar, molasses and honey and medical instruments. Ireland's main exports to Australia include: medicaments, manufactured articles, pharmaceutical products and computers. Australia is Ireland's 15th biggest export trading partner globally, while at the same time, Australia is Ireland's 44th largest import source.