Indians make up around 1% of Ireland’s population and approx population of Indians in Ireland as of 2023 is 50,000 (50 thousand). The Irish-India Council estimates that there are approximately 91,520 Indian-born people in Ireland.

India-Ireland interactions date back to the 19th Century when a significant number of Irishmen joined the British Civil Service, medical, engineering, and army services. During this period, Irish missionaries and educationists also spread out into all regions of India. Indian Expats have recently immigrated especially information technology professionals.  

There is an estimated 50,000 Indian origin population in Ireland, of whom approx. 27,000 are PIOs and approx. 23,000 are NRIs. The bulk of the community is in health care, IT, engineering, and senior management positions. The community is well-regarded locally and has integrated well into Irish society.  Former Irish PM and current DPM, Leo Varadkar (41 years) has Indian ancestry (his father is Indian, his mother is Irish).

Regions with significant Asian populations

As the Irish government does not collect detailed data on ethnicity in Ireland, population estimates vary, and non-Chinese Asian people are generally grouped in one category rather than groups based on people from individual South Asian countries. Estimates say that people of South Asian ethnicity make up around 1 to 3% of Ireland’s population. 

• Dublin (and suburbs) – 33,225
• Cork City and suburbs  – 3,240
• Limerick City  – 1,734
• Galway City – 1,590
• Ballyhaunis – 478
• Waterford City – 846
• Letterkenny  – 600
• Sligo (and suburbs) –  590
• Athlone – 525
• Kilkenny City – 506

Indian Students in Ireland

Ireland has become a significant destination for Indian students seeking higher education, particularly post-graduate, doctoral, and post-doctoral students in the areas of engineering, technology, medicine, and management. There are about 5,000 Indian students in Irish higher educational institutions. Many of Ireland’s major third-level institutions, most notably Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin City University, Dublin Institute of Technology, National University of Ireland, Galway, and National College of Ireland have a substantial number of students of South Asian descent. The Irish government wants to double the number of overseas students in Irish universities and has shortlisted India as one of the key areas for bringing in foreign students.