H.E Mr Edward F. Crawford, Ambassador-Designate of the United States of America, presented his Letters of Credence to President Michael D. Higgins.
The accreditation ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin marks the formal appointment of a new Ambassador to Ireland.
The Ambassador-designate is greeted on arrival at Áras an Uachtaráin and invited to sign the visitors book. The Ambassador-designate then proceeds to the State Reception room, where he/she formally presents a letter of credence to the President of Ireland.
The formal exchanges of greetings between the new Ambassador and the President gives them the opportunity to get to know one another and also to convey messages between the authorities of the respective states.
After the formal exchanges, the President invites the new Ambassador into a private meeting, to discuss issues of mutual interest with regard to the relations between the two countries.
Following accreditation, the new Ambassador is escorted by the President to the main front door of Áras an Uachtaráin where he/she inspects a military guard of honour. The new Ambassador then departs Áras an Uachtaráin with a military escort.
