Sixty-three years ago today French foreign minister Robert Schuman - with the ostensible aim of preventing future war in western Europe - laid out a plan for France and Germany to pool their coal and steel resources.
Today, Europe Day, sees a continent-wide series of events celebrating what would eventually become the modern European Union.
In Dublin the European Commission representation will hold a free "open doors" event at EU House on Dawson Street, starting at 11.45am. Music will be provided by the Dublin Gospel Choir, while snacks come courtesy of "the EU's 27 embassy kitchens". Tea and coffee are included, according to the press release.
An exhibition looking back at 40 years of Irish EU membership will also take place in EU House. This takes "a colourful look at the personalities, the political and social battles and how Europe has influenced all our lives since 1973". Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton will attend.
Down on the quays, the Dublin Civic Offices will host an “exciting public exhibition” on the advanced use of technologies in archaeology. Traces of the Past is an EU-funded research project and the exhibition will show how new technology has been used on sites such as the Hill of Tara, Skellig Michael, Brú na Bóinne and Derry City walls.
At 6.00pm this evening, Institute of International and European Affairs chairman Brendan Halligan will deliver the Garret Fitzgerald lecture, titled Strategies for a Small State in a Large Union, at the Gresham Hotel. Prof John Fitzgerald from the ESRI will be on hand to offer a reply and Ms Creighton will attend this event as well.
Meanwhile, the People’s Movement will rally against the “neo-imperial dimension” of the EU integration project with a one-hour “EU austerity protest” outside the commission offices on Dawson Street. It kicks off at 1.00pm.
