-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Vk9/0YkTE5RXrUkTanXeTNWHMPwHVgUrC/Rup0eOXQDfYtPeGPBVhNsMy8VuOXxQ
 ODLbaq7a43YJS/5cvWUsLg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001361952-06-000001.txt : 20060511
<SEC-HEADER>0001361952-06-000001.hdr.sgml : 20060511
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060511091439
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001361952-06-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060501
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060511
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060511

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DUFFY MARGARET
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001361952

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-05984
		FILM NUMBER:		06828313

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212-628-2647

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		164 EAST 72 STREET
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10021

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NEW IRELAND FUND INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000858707
		IRS NUMBER:				232594503
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1031

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O PFPC INC.
		STREET 2:		99 HIGH STREET, 27TH FLOOR
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02110
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6103828642

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O PFPC INC.
		STREET 2:		99 HIGH STREET, 27TH FLOOR
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02110

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	IRISH INVESTMENT FUND INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-05-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000858707</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NEW IRELAND FUND INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>irl</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001361952</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DUFFY MARGARET</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>164 EAST 72 STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10021</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>No securities are beneficially owned.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Margaret Duffy</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-05-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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