Ireland-Wales Forum meeting: 24 June 2026

The sixth annual Ireland-Wales Ministerial Forum took place in Dublin, Ireland on 24 June 2026, bringing together Helen McEntee TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland, and Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, the First Minister of Wales.

The forum is organised under the Ireland Wales Shared Statement 2030, providing an opportunity to review progress under this new framework for cooperation, and to reaffirm the commitment and ambition of both governments to strengthen cooperation across its priority areas.

The Minister and First Minister reviewed cooperation across the Shared Statement's priority areas, including Political and Official Engagement; Climate, Energy, Environment and Sustainability; Economy and Trade; Education, Research and Innovation; Culture, Language and Heritage; and Communities, Diaspora and Sport.

They welcomed the breadth of activity taking place in both jurisdictions and recognised the value of sustained engagement in addressing shared opportunities and challenges.

As part of the forum, the Minister and First Minister met recipients of the Ireland-Wales strand of the Charlemont Grant Scheme, administered by the Royal Irish Academy (RIA), and heard presentations on research supported through the programme. They welcomed the contribution of the scheme in strengthening academic and research links between Ireland and Wales, supporting knowledge exchange and fostering new partnerships between early career researchers.

The First Minister and Minister welcomed the announcement of a new reciprocal scheme to be launched by the Learned Society of Wales to support collaborative research and academic exchange between Wales and Ireland. They also welcomed the renewal of the Ireland-Wales strand of the Charlemont Grant Scheme, administered by the RIA. These complementary initiatives will further strengthen academic and research links partnerships between researchers across the Irish Sea.

The Minister and First Minister also attended a panel discussion entitled “Ireland and Wales - Global Ambitions in Sports Diplomacy”. The discussion was chaired by Sinéad O’Carroll (News Editor at The Journal) and featured contributions from Linda Hoey (Ryder Cup Programme Manager), Tommy Bowe (former Irish rugby union player and TV presenter), Noel Mooney (CEO, Football Association of Wales) and Dr Helen Williams (Chair of Wales Netball).

Opening the panel event, ministers spoke to the opportunities for Ireland and Wales to share experience and best practice across a range of areas, including sports diplomacy, major event hosting, women's sport and grassroots participation. They recognised the strong sporting traditions of both nations and welcomed the potential for further collaboration in support of their respective international ambitions.

The panel explored the growing role of sport in international engagement and considered how Ireland and Wales can use sport to strengthen international relationships, promote cultural exchange, and enhance their international profiles through sports diplomacy.

Over the course of the morning’s activities, Minister McEntee and First Minister ap Iorwerth reiterated the importance of maintaining close political engagement between Ireland and Wales and welcomed the continued development of practical cooperation under the Ireland-Wales Shared Statement 2030.

They agreed to continue working together to strengthen bilateral relations and to advance areas of mutual interest for the benefit of the people of Ireland and Wales.

It was agreed the next Ireland-Wales Forum will take place in Wales in 2027.