Ireland · EU50, 50th anniversary of accession to the EU

At the time of Ireland’s accession, the European Union in its present form did not yet exist. Ireland joined the European Communities, which included in particular the European Economic Community (EEC). Denmark and the United Kingdom became members at the same time. This was the first enlargement of the Community by new states since its founding.

Ireland’s accession was closely linked to its economic ties with the United Kingdom. A large part of Irish foreign trade had traditionally been oriented towards the British market. When Great Britain sought membership of the EEC, Ireland also sought admission. Earlier accession attempts were delayed because France, under President Charles de Gaulle, rejected British membership. It was only after his resignation that new negotiations could be successfully concluded.

As membership required the transfer of certain state powers to European institutions, the Constitution of Ireland was amended. The population approved accession by a large majority in a referendum. Economically, membership provided better access to the markets of the other member states. The Common Agricultural Policy also played a central role for the strongly agriculture-based Irish economy. In the following decades, the country received funding from European regional and structural funds, which was used, among other things, for infrastructure, education and economic development.

European membership also became a permanent part of Irish foreign policy. Ireland remained militarily neutral but participated in political and economic integration. It later became one of the first states to introduce the euro as book money and subsequently as cash.

The anniversary was accompanied by the Irish government’s “EU50” programme. This included events and projects dealing with the social, economic and political consequences of membership. The commemorative coin formed part of this state remembrance programme and therefore adopted its uniform visual identity.