Irish Hungarian Business Association Mission Statement

* Promote two way investment, trade, commerce and tourism between Hungary and the Republic of Ireland

* Enable business people and companies to share their experience to mutual advantage.

Council Members

John McMillan - Chairman

Sean Eustace - Vice Chairman

David Casey

Patrick Lawlor

David Kelly

Brian Butler

Gabriella Bakonyi

Shane Ó hEidhin

IHBA Formation

The formation and economic emphasis of the IHBA was promoted by George Eaton, Hungary's Irish Honorary Consul and its establishment coincided with the appointment of Dr Géza Kollar Hungarys first Trade Counsellor to Ireland. The Association enjoyed support from the earliest days from the Irish Trade Board and this continues to the present through its successor Enterprise Ireland. There has been close connection with the Hungarian Embassy in Ireland since it opened in 1991 with the Ambassador as Honorary President of the IHBA.

Hungarian EU Membership

From the earliest days the IHBA has actively promoted Hungary's admission to full membership of the EU. In the mid 1990's Mary Kelly, a post graduate student of Trinity College, was engaged to make a study on "The Implications for Ireland of Hungary's Integration into Europe" This study effectively became a significant work of reference in the debate on EU enlargement.

Hungary became a member of the European Union on the 1st May 2004. The membership has significant effects on the Hungarian economy, and gives important competitive advantages for companies settled in the country.

Annual Awards

Annually the IHBA presents a prestigious Award to the company or individual "who is judged to have made significant contribution to Irish Hungarian economic relations". Recipients have included Avonmore, one of the early entrants into the Hungarian dairy industry, Navan Resources, Galway Chamber of Commerce, Grafton Recruitment, ICC Bank, retired Irish Ambassador Jim Flavin and in 2004, CP3, the Irish software company. Even the Irish pub Becketts was recognised in 1993 when Irish expatriates made it their unofficial Irish Chamber of Commerce.

Click HERE for details on this years Annual Awards event.