Dr. Eamonn McKee, Ambassador of Ireland to Canada, Jamaica and The Bahamas

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I graduated from UCD with a degree in history (modern Irish) and economics in 1982, followed by a
Ph.D. from the National University of Ireland in 1987 for a thesis on Irish economic policy, 1939 to 1952.

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I joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1986 and worked in Anglo-Irish Division, which would become the focus for my work for the following twenty years, including for six years at the Embassy Washington from 1990 to 1996. Professionally, Washington was incredibly fulfilling, involving as it did engagement with Congress on immigration reform and with the Clinton White House on the emerging Northern Ireland Peace Process. Professional and personal life crossed with I met Congressman Bruce Morrison’s legislative staffer, Mary Rae McGillis while lobbying for Irish visas. Ireland got the visas and I got a wife and later three wonderful children.

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I served twice more in Anglo-Irish Division focused on security issues, including Bloody Sunday, contentious parades, policing and confidence in the rule of law, the use of lethal force, the Cory process and criminal justice reform. I was honoured to be a member of the Irish Government’s talks team that negotiated the Good Friday Agreement and was later involved in its implementation on the policing and justice agenda. I served for two years as press officer at the Consulate General New York.

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From 2004 I served in Irish Aid (on the emergency humanitarian side), as UN Director and founding Director of the Conflict Resolution Unit. I served as Ambassador to Seoul (2009-13) and Israel (2013-2015). I took up duty as Director General, Trade and Promotion Division in August 2015.