NI’s youngest US diplomat keeps up proud Larne tradition in Washington DC

Irene Culleton, 33, from Larne, takes up the role of first secretary (deputy director) of the Northern Ireland Bureau – the diplomatic mission of the NI Executive in the United States and Canada.

Irene is only the second woman to fulfil the role, and she carries on a proud tradition following after former NI Bureau director Norman Houston OBE, who is also from Larne.

She was educated at St MacNissi’s Primary School and St MacNissi’s College, Garron Tower, before going on to study at Queen’s University Belfast, where she was awarded an honours degree in Law in 2009.

Having worked in private legal practice for a number of years, she joined the NI Civil Service in September 2012 as part of the Fast Stream Graduate Programme and worked in a variety of posts, before being promoted to senior management in 2017.

She said: “I am deeply honoured to assume this role, through which I will work with colleagues to deliver the NI Executive’s International Relations Strategy, particularly as we seek to strengthen our economic position in the context of a period of economic recovery for our region.

“I greatly value the already positive relationship we have with North America and hope that I can continue to identify opportunities for collaboration to enhance social and cultural links between our countries.

“As a proud resident of Mid and East Antrim, I look forward to working with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in support of its international relations commitments and assisting the elected members and officers in their engagement with counterparts in North America.”

The Northern Ireland Bureau’s aim is to cultivate and strengthen links between various political, economic, educational, and cultural interests in Northern Ireland and North America.

It also serves as a resource for individuals and organisations looking to learn and understand more about Northern Ireland, and about its relationship with the United States and Canada.

The bureau’s director Andrew Elliott said: “It’s fantastic that Irene is joining the team at this exciting time as we approach the US presidential election.

“Irene will be working hard to represent the interests of the Northern Ireland Executive here in North America, but her connection to Larne will, as chance would have it, ensure the continuation of a long tradition, given that my immediate predecessor, Norman Houston, also spoke proudly of his connections to the town.”