EM Ireland's 'European of the Year' Award

The European of the Year Award recognises and honours individuals or organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to promoting and enhancing Ireland’s place in the EU.

Since it was established in 1988, the title of European of the Year has been awarded to a distinguished list of individuals with backgrounds in art, business, politics and administration.

1988

Peter Sutherland

1989

Sean Kelly

1990

Charles Haughey

1991

Brian Friel

1992

Ray MacSharry

1993

Albert Reynolds and John Hume (joint award)

1994

Michael Smurfit

1995

Adi Roche

1996

John Bruton

1997

Mary Banotti

1998

Paddy Harte and Glenn Barr

1999

David O’Sullivan

2000

Commissioner David Byrne

2001

Tommie Gorman

2003

Pat Cox (President of the European Parliament)

2004

Senator Maurice Hayes

2005

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern

2015

Catherine Day, outgoing European Commission Secretary General

2016

Irish Defence Forces

2018

Enda Kenny

2020

Michel Barnier

2022

Emer Cooke
Peter Sutherland (European of the Year 1988)
Sean Kelly (European of the Year 1989)
Brian Friel (European of the Year 1991)
John Hume and Albert Reynolds (European of the Year 1993)
Adi Roche (European of the Year 1995)
Mary Banotti (European of the Year 1997)
David O'Sullivan (European of the Year 1999)
Catherine Day (European of the Year 2015)
Irish Defence Forces (European of the Year 2016)
Enda Kenny (European of the Year 2018)
Michel Barnier (European of the Year 2020)
Emer Cooke (European of the Year 2022)