Speech delivered on 27 July 2026 at Áras an Uachtaráin, Dublin.

It really is a great privilege to be here, joining you today in this wonderful environment with so many exceptional people in this room.

Of course, I’d like to start by acknowledging Her Excellency Ms Catherine Connolly, President of Ireland and His Excellency Mr Brian McEnery, Spouse of the President of Ireland. 

President Connolly, our conversation earlier touched on some of the important elements of the modern relationship between our two countries.

From the establishment of a formal diplomatic partnership 80 years ago has emerged a relationship so powerful in breadth and depth, encompassing trade, investment and education; research and innovation; culture and sport; climate cooperation and community.

Today, Australia welcomes Ireland's leadership on climate action and engagement with our neighbours, the small island nations of the Blue Pacific, where the impacts of climate change are an existential threat to community, culture, lives and livelihoods. 

Like-minded partners, supporters of multilateralism and the rules-based international order, Australia wholeheartedly celebrates the strength of Ireland’s voice within the EU.

The themes of Ireland’s EU Presidency – competitiveness, values and security – are firmly aligned with Australia's commitment to deepening our engagement with the European Union and other partners in the multilateral context. 

Formed in the uncertainties of a post-war world, Australia and Ireland’s first steps into diplomacy demonstrated a commitment by both our countries to find new and ever more productive ways to build on the heartsong of family and friendship that has bound our people over the centuries.

As we have seen in recent months, our countries are linked in times of peace and celebration, and bound to one another in times of tragedy and sorrow.

I particularly want to thank you, President Connolly, for the expression of support you shared on behalf of the Irish people at the time of the appalling antisemitic terrorist attack that occurred at Sydney’s Bondi Beach in December.

As you said, the Irish people in Sydney and across the country joined Australians in condemning the violence and coming together in a spirit of peace and unity.

One of those who lost their life that day, Peter Meagher – a former devoted police officer, a stalwart of the Randwick Rugby Club, and a profoundly generous and beloved man – was deeply proud of his nineteenth-century Irish heritage.

His grandfather, Wally Meagher, played against Ireland in the touring Australian side of 1927/28, when Johnnie Wallace scored the match-winning try against Ireland at Landsdowne Road in 1927 – a feat unfortunately not repeated a couple of weeks ago when Ireland bested Australia in the first of the Nations Championship matches.

Pete’s story is scored with the same striations of Irish–Australian history that we find etched into the lives of the one in ten Australians today who claim Irish heritage.

President Connolly, our roles are different, but analogous.

Like you, my role is to recognise and celebrate excellence, and the values of care, kindness and respect in people and communities.

The Irish presence in Australia, so often connected with excellence, is – almost without exception – an expression of care for people, places, community and unity.

In names associated with arts, culture and sport; community and cohesion; business, innovation and education; the Irish diaspora has woven the filaments and fibres of their Irish heritage into our Australian story.

Confounded by the task of settling on a handful of representative examples of the powerful contribution of Ireland to Australia, I return to the story of 13-year-old Austin Appleby, who earlier this year swam four kilometres through rough waters off the south-west coast of Western Australia, and ran another two kilometres to raise the alarm after his mother and young brother and sister were stranded in the sea.

The son of an Irish Rose – his mother, Joanne, was born in Country Monaghan – Austin’s heroism has been celebrated in Australia and Ireland and around the world.

After his act of extraordinary courage, hope and endurance, Austin said that his mantra as he battled fear and fatigue was ‘I have to keep on going’.

Reflecting the resilience and persistence of the Irish in Australia, Austin’s words epitomise the relationship between our two countries as vital modern nations of energy, commitment, hope and optimism.

Thank you, President Connolly, and all here today, for the warmth of your welcome, your generous sharing of the beauty and brilliance of this magnificent country, and the opportunity to be together to celebrate the old, while finding new hope in our friendship as natural partners, grounded in shared history and values, and proud to work together on the challenges ahead.

TOAST – To Her Excellency, to the people of Ireland and to the enduring friendship between our two nations over 80 years.