Government Harnesses the Power of Sport to Build Bridges with Foreign Nations, Bolster Political ‘Soft Power’ Abroad, and Establish Ireland as International Sporting Hub
- Published on: 26 November 2025
- Last updated on: 26 November 2025
Minister Patrick O'Donovan and Ministers of State Charlie McConalogue and Neale Richmond Host Seminal Sports Diplomacy Conference
The Government has today held the International Sports Diplomacy Conference at the Sport Ireland Campus, the home of Irish sport. This consultative event builds on the International Sports Diplomacy Framework which was launched earlier this year at the 2025 Global Ireland Summit. It sought the views of major stakeholders across Irish sport, academia, industry and charities to discuss how Ireland can best use sports diplomacy to promote our values.
The feedback from this conference will inform a new strategy on International Sports Diplomacy for Ireland, which will set out the actions the state will take under the International Sports Diplomacy Framework.
The Conference was hosted by the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan; Minister of State with for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue; and Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora, Neale Richmond.
Speaking following the Conference, Minister O’Donovan, said:
It was a privilege to address such a diverse group on a topic which has so much promise for our place in the world, and for Irish sport generally.
The international focus of this Conference comes at an opportune time for Irish sport. Ireland is stepping into a larger role in international sport. Over the coming years we will have several major events such as the Ryder Cup in 2027, the T20 Cricket World Cup 2030 and UEFA EURO Championship in 2028.
We have seen the power that sport plays to bring the country together behind our national teams and international athletes. These have been in turn supported by the hundreds of millions of euros that Government has invested into sport and sport infrastructure over recent years.
The Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue, said:
Sport is a core part of Irish identity and culture. The upcoming International Sports Diplomacy Strategy will lay out concrete actions for stakeholders across the government and the sporting system, to maximise our impact.
Further, Ireland will hold the EU Presidency on the latter half of 2026 and we will focus on the value and opportunities of traditional and indigenous sports as a core theme during our Presidency.
The Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora, Neale Richmond, said:
The forthcoming International Sports Diplomacy Strategy is an exciting opportunity, building on the Framework published earlier this year, to advance a concrete set of measures to make the most of our sporting legacy, to better connect with our sporting diaspora and to engage in sporting initiatives and international partnerships that further our interests and values.
This conference forms part of an extensive consultation process on Ireland’s new Strategy. My Department has also engaged with our sporting diaspora all over the world on how they can be best supported through the new Strategy. Events such as the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, and the recent NFL game played in Croke Park, and other such events, bring so much to the country and help to solidify the relationship between us and other countries.
I want to thank all of those who have contributed to this process. Their insights and engagement will support the development of a strategy that can harness all of the strengths of Team Ireland at home and overseas.
ENDS