Emma Madigan - Ireland's first female ambassador to Vatican. See story Sarah McDonald

The Irish ambassador to the Vatican will for the first time be a woman when the embassy reopens in the coming months.

Emma Madigan, a senior official in the Department of Foreign Affairs, has been appointed to the prestigious position and will take up the role in the autumn.

A Government spokesman said Ms Maddigan will be based in a “modest rented accommodation” located near the Vatican in Rome.

Ms Madigan was one of 36 new ambassadors – which includes 12 women - announced by the Government today.

This brings the total number of Irish ambassadors serving abroad to 80.

The reopening of the Vatican Embassy follows Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore’s decision to close the mission in 2011.

Ireland also has an embassy in Rome and Mr Gilmore took the decision to close the Vatican embassy as it “yielded no economic return”.

Mr Gilmore announced he would be re-establish a mission in the Vatican in January.

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