On the 1st of January 1973, Ireland officially joined the EEC. Over the last fifty years, our country has changed in innumerable ways. But it’s not just Ireland’s story. It’s the story of us. Each of us has a personal relationship with the EU. It’s part of our shared memory.

This anthology is a way of exploring that history. Through contributions from the public, first-hand history, and discussion of how we got here, we want to tell the story of Our EU.

What the EU Means To Us

St. Thomas JNS

St. Thomas JNS

The pupils from St. Thomas JNS taught us all about Spain in their fun costumes and posters.

Loreto Primary School

Loreto Primary School

The students from Beech Hill College interviewed staff at their school about the benefits and the affect the EU has brought them in the last 50 years.

Ardscoil na Trionide

Ardscoil na Trionide

The students from Ardscoil na Trionide walked us through the evolution of public opinion of the EU in an innovative fashion with this animation.

Beech Hill College

Beech Hill College

The students from Beech Hill College interviewed staff at their school about the benefits and the affect the EU has brought them in the last 50 years.

St. Paul's Community College

St. Paul's Community College

To celebrate 50 years of EU membership the students of St. Paul’s Community College interviewed the international students in their schools in their native language.

Corballa NS

Corballa NS

In this fun take on exploring Belgium, Jerry from Corballa NS teaches us fun facts about Belgium in stop animation line drawings.

Ballinspittle NS

Ballinspittle NS

The students of Ballinspittle NS took a unique take on teaching us fun facts about France as the performed the French National Anthem using Irish trad instruments.

St. Brigid's NS

St. Brigid's NS

Oisín McCarthy Curtain from St Brigid’s NS in Castleknock taught us fun facts about Finland during his performance of his original song ‘In Skies of Fire and Ice’

First-hand History

The Beginning

The Beginning

Following a failed application attempt, Ireland, Denmark and the United Kingdom re applied in May 1967 and negotiations began in December 1969. Throughout the early 1961’s the ICEM, including Desmon Fisher, participated in several conferences with the Commission.

Our Campaign To Join

Our Campaign To Join

The campaign whether to join the EEC or not was described by Neville Keery as an emotional head on clash between the two sides.

Public Opinion

Public Opinion

Before the annual poll we carry out every year, the ICEM and the Irish Students European Association conducted public opinion survey’s prior to the entry referendum.

The Common Market

The Common Market

As the lack of awareness surrounding the Common Market was brought up in the campaign not to join, the ICEM put together a roadshow to raise awareness.

Ireland Joins the EEC

Ireland Joins the EEC

Although the vote demonstrated an obvious want from the Irish people to be a member of the EEC, the reality of entry was less optimistic.

Irish Council of the European Movement

Irish Council of the European Movement

On 11 January 1954, the Irish Council of the European Movement (later to become ‘European Movement Ireland’) was founded.

First European Elections

First European Elections

The first direct elections to the European Parliament took place in 1979: up to then the Parliament was composed of members appointed by and from national parliaments.

You and Europe

You and Europe

Secondary school students from Mulingar put together a seminar and exhibition entitled ‘You and Europe’ to investigate the level of interest that Irish people had in the European Community.

Irish Language Competition

Irish Language Competition

Throughout the years, we have produced a range of projects, campaigns and programmes in the areas of communications, advocacy, education to further develop the connection between Ireland and the EU.

Convention on the Future of Europe

Convention on the Future of Europe

Between 2002 and 2003, The Convention of the Future of Europe was brought together to draft a constitution on the enlargement of Europe.

Irish as an Official Language

Irish as an Official Language

On the 31st of December 2021, the Irish language was finally granted full official and working status in the EU. It has been a long journey to get the Irish language this status.

National Forum on Europe

National Forum on Europe

In 2006 the National Forum on Europe put together a series of conferences ‘Making the European Union Relevant for Women’.

Understanding the EEC

Understanding the EEC

The ICEM released a collection of pamphlets to better understand the EEC, responding to people’s confusion during the campaign.

EuroNews

EuroNews

In this 1978 edition of EuroNews focused on the European Progressive Democrats in Ireland.

How We Got Here

50 Steps: 1972 - 1982

50 Steps: 1972 - 1982

As we mark the 50th anniversaries of Ireland’s referendum on accession and joining the EU, it is important to mark milestones, from people to events, that have shaped our story. Here we look at 1972 – 1982.

50 Steps: 1982 - 1992

50 Steps: 1982 - 1992

As we mark the 50th anniversaries of Ireland’s referendum on accession and joining the EU, it is important to mark milestones, from people to events, that have shaped our story. Here we look at 1982 – 1992.