The new office will focus on the firm’s core specialisms in privacy and data protection, technology, life sciences, intellectual property and corporate law.

Located in George’s Dock, close to Dublin’s tech hub Grand Canal Dock, Bird & Bird intends to have at least five partners in its Dublin office by the end of next year, alongside a team of associates and business services staff.

Deirdre Kilroy and Anna Morgan, specialists in data protection, IP and technology law, were recently appointed as the first two partners to join the office.

In a joint statement, the co-founding partners said: “We are thrilled to have joined as the founding partners of Bird & Bird’s new office in Ireland.

“What truly sets Bird & Bird apart is its international collaborative working environment and its strong culture. We are a team of likeminded people who live and breathe the ethos of the firm and it’s important to us that our Dublin office reflects this.

“We’re really excited to grow our practice on the ground in Ireland - we have ambitious plans to offer distinctive and specialist legal services in the region.”

The opening of the new office has also been welcomed by government and investment agency IDA Ireland.

Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste and minister for enterprise, trade and employment, said: “I’m really pleased Bird & Bird has chosen Dublin for its new office.

“Ireland is a world leader in many sectors including life sciences, pharma, aviation, financial services and tech. I’ve no doubt that the team’s expertise in data protection, intellectual property and technology and communications will be beneficial to many companies operating in these areas.

“Our country is also home to a highly experienced and expert legal sector. Bird & Bird’s plans to expand over the next three years, hiring 30 new lawyers, will offer fantastic employment opportunities for our legal and business service professionals.”

Mary Buckley, executive director of IDA Ireland, added: “Bird & Bird’s decision to locate this new office in Dublin is very welcome and is an excellent addition to the sector here. Ireland’s presence in the EU as a common-law, English-speaking jurisdiction continues to attract investments from leading international specialist legal services firms.”