Embassy of the United States, Dublin facts for kids
- For the Ambassador's Residence, see Deerfield Residence
Quick facts for kids Embassy of the United States, Dublin |
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Embassy of the United States in Dublin
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| Location | 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, D04 TP03, Ireland |
| Website | U.S. Embassy in Dublin |
| Opened | 1964 |
| Ambassador | Kevin O'Malley |
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The Embassy of the United States of America in Dublin is the diplomatic mission of the United States of America to Ireland.
The Chancery is located at 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. The Ambassador's Official Residence is located at the Deerfield Residence, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8.
Kevin F. O'Malley is the current Ambassador of the United States of America to Ireland, officially assuming the role on October 8, 2014. Daniel M. Rooney was the previous US Ambassador to Ireland until his resignation on December 14, 2012. Stuart Dwyer had been the Chargé d'affaires since September 5, 2014.
Ambassador
Kevin O'Malley holds the current position of United States Ambassador to Ireland. O'Malley, an Irish American attorney from Missouri, was nominated by President Barack Obama on June 5, 2014, and was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 18, 2014. He was sworn-in by Vice President of the United States Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry on September 30, 2014, and presented his credentials to President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins on October 8, 2014. Stuart Dwyer had been the Chargé d'affaires and acting Chief of Mission, assuming the role on September 5, 2013, replacing the previous Chargé d'affaires John Hennessey-Niland. Stuart Dwyer became the Deputy Chief of Mission following the appointment of O'Malley. The previous ambassador was Dan Rooney, appointed to the position on March 17, 2009 by U.S. President Barack Obama, and sworn in by then U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on July 1, 2009, before presenting his credentials to then Irish President Mary McAleese on July 3, 2009. Ambassador Rooney resigned as U.S. Ambassador to Ireland on December 14, 2012 and returned to Pittsburgh, aged 80.
History
Chancery
The embassy was designed by American architect John M. Johansen, in consultation with Irish architect Michael Scott. It was constructed between 1962 and 1964 on a triangular site at the intersection between Elgin Road and Pembroke Road. The building is circular in plan, incorporating modern interpretations of early Celtic and later Irish buildings with contemporary, bold American design as well as symbolising the first American flag, and is considered a Dublin landmark. There are five floors at the complex, two underground and three above ground, plus a smaller sixth storey on the rooftop.
On 23 May 2011, a 2005 model Cadillac Presidential State Car was involved in an incident when it got stuck on a ramp as it exited the U.S. Embassy during an official visit by President Barack Obama. It is understood that the wheelbase of the vehicle was too great for the ramp, and it had to be towed off the ramp as a large crowd looked on. President Obama left the embassy through an alternative exit. The U.S. Secret Service later stated that the car was a spare, and that President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were in another vehicle. Coincidentally, this occurred on the 47th anniversary of the official opening of the building on 23 May 1964.
Ambassador's Residence
Deerfield Residence, a large 18th century house on over 60 acres in the Phoenix Park, has since February 19, 1927 been the United States Ambassador's Official Residence in Ireland. Before the 1960s, the embassy was located at the grounds, then known as the Chief Secretary's Lodge. The United States first opened a consulate in Ireland in 1859 at a building on Adelaide Road, Dublin 2, and also had a presence at Merrion Square, Dublin 2 from 1948. Both current diplomatic premises are owned and operated by the United States Department of State on behalf of the United States federal government.
Future
In late 2012, the United States Department of State announced the embassy will move to new location within a number of years. The Chancery in Ballsbridge, which was 50 years old in 2014, has been deemed "no longer suitable", and an embassy spokesperson stated that the current building no longer meets the needs in terms of size of the expanding American diplomatic presence in Ireland (between 150 and 200 staff work at the embassy), and does not conform to new construction and security requirements ("code") issued by Washington D.C.. A number of sites around Dublin City are being considered for the construction of a new embassy building, which will be on larger grounds, will be a larger building than the Ballsbridge Chancery, and may be located nearer to the Ambassador's Residence and Dublin Airport for security reasons and ease of access. However, completion of the move to a new embassy facility is likely to take up to 10 years and cost tens of millions of dollars.
