<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-07-15</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001471754</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Johns Chris</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>40 MESPIL ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>DUBLIN 4</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DUBLIN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>L2</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>DUBLIN 4</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>IRELAND</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Chris Johns</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-09-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
