Editor's Note: The following piece was submitted to IrishCentral by Patrick Delaney, who, in March, was announced as Ireland's new Honorary Consul for Orlando, Florida.
Florida and Ireland share strong ties.
In 2023, bilateral merchandise trade totaled over $1.5 billion, making Ireland Florida’s sixth-largest bilateral merchandise trading partner in Europe.
Tens of thousands of Irish tourists visit each year, with nearly 34,000 traveling to Orlando in 2023. Aer Lingus flies six nonstop and eight connecting flights weekly from Dublin to Central Florida. As transatlantic travel continues to surge, that number is expected to grow.
Despite a population of just over 7 million, Ireland ranks first in Europe and third globally for per capita travel to the US – highlighting the growing need for consular support.
Strengthening Ireland’s Presence in Central Florida
Naming a new Honorary Irish Consul in Orlando has further demonstrated Ireland’s commitment to the Sunshine State. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the new office, Senior Irish Government Minister Darragh O’Brien and Consul General of Miami Sara Kavanagh shared Ireland’s strong desire to build on the excellent political, economic, and cultural links between Ireland and Florida.
I was honoured to introduce Patrick Delaney as the new Honorary Consul for Orlando.
He will be a strong advocate for the Irish American community and the many Irish visitors who travel here each year.
Ádh mór Patrick! 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/pVTm7VolI9
— Darragh O'Brien (@DarraghOBrienTD) March 14, 2025
After the retirement of former Honorary Consul in Orlando Terry Delahunty, consular services required travel to Miami or Atlanta. This new Orlando office is a welcome relief, bringing that support much closer to Irish citizens visiting or living in the area.
In addition to helping Irish citizens in line with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s consular charter, including during emergency situations, the Honorary Consul also supports the Consulate General of Ireland in Miami in fostering economic, business, and cultural relations across Central Florida. The Miami office also covers Alabama, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
Supporting Irish Business, Culture, and Community in Central Florida
Florida is a wonderful place to do business, and Irish companies employ nearly 16,000 people in the state. The Honorary Consul can assist Irish entrepreneurs and businesses expand into Florida and assist US businesses exploring opportunities in Ireland by working closely with Enterprise Ireland, which supports Irish businesses entering global markets, and IDA Ireland, which helps foreign businesses navigate Ireland’s business landscape.
In addition, the Honorary Irish Consul connects potential investors with local resources such as the Orlando Economic Partnership and area chambers.
Promoting Irish culture through festivals, events, and partnerships is another vital part of the Honorary Consul’s role. While St. Patrick’s Day is the largest celebration, plans are underway to celebrate Bloomsday on June 16 with a literary event honoring James Joyce and his book "Ulysses."
Another goal is to strengthen partnerships with local Irish businesses like The Castle Irish Pub & Restaurant, which frequently brings the Orlando community together through events like rugby and GAA viewing parties.
Looking Ahead: Vision and Goals
I am thrilled to serve in this role and look forward to engaging with the Irish community, business leaders and local officials. My door is open for Irish citizens and businesses seeking connection and collaboration. Over the next year, I aim to meet as many people as possible to help build a strong local network to promote Irish culture and business.
*Patrick Delaney is a partner at RumbergerKirk, located at 300 South Orange Avenue, Suite 1400, Orlando, FL 32801. He can be contacted at [email protected]. For Honorary Irish Consul services, appointments can be scheduled by emailing [email protected] or calling 407-839-4532.
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