LAST UPDATE | 10 Feb 2022

THE NEW US Ambassador to Ireland presented her credentials to President Michael D Higgins in a ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin today.

Claire Cronin presented her letter of credence alongside the new ambassadors for Sierra Leone, Dr Morie Komba Manyeh, and El Salvador, Vanessa Eugenia Interiano Elfarnawany.

“I am deeply honoured to serve as US Ambassador to Ireland,” Cronin said after the ceremony.

“My grandfather hailed from Co Donegal, and I feel a great sense of connection to Ireland and its people,” she said.

“As Ambassador, I plan to build on our important relationship by advancing mutual interests, as well as cooperating with my Irish partners in addressing global challenges facing our two countries.”

A Biden supporter during the 2020 race for the White House, Cronin was nominated to the role by the current US President in June last year. Her appointment was subsequently approved by the US Senate last October.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin welcomed the new US Ambassador to Ireland, Claire Cronin to Government Buildings today Julien Behal Julien Behal

The American Chamber of Commerce in Ireland said it looks forward to working with Ambassador Cronin and continuing close collaboration with the US Embassy in Dublin.

Cronin was the majority leader in the Massachusetts House of Representatives before departing for Ireland. Prior to her election as representative in 2012, she maintained a law practice in Brockton, Massachusetts.

The former US Ambassador to Ireland Edward F Crawford stepped down from the position in January 2021, before the beginning of the Biden administration.

A Guard of Honour was provided at today’s ceremony and Foreign Affairs minister Simon Coveney represented the government.

With reporting by Hayley Halpin