Exhibition Details | Exhibitions

Ireland in the European Community

Ireland joined the European Community in 1973 along with Denmark and the United Kingdom. The three joined six other countries - Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Greece, Spain and Portugal subsequently joined, bringing the total to 12.

Ireland's accession was approved in a referendum by a massive majority of 83 per cent. The referendum approved a new clause in the Constitution which empowered the Government to ratify the Treaty of Accession to the Community, It also stated : "No provision of this Constitution invalidates laws enacted acts done or measures adopted by the State necessitated by the obligations of membership of the Communities or prevents laws enacted, acts done or measures adopted by the Communities, or institutions thereof, from having the force of law in the State."

Ireland thus became a full and equal member of the Community, with full representation in all its institutions.

A special protocol was included in the Treaty of Accession which recognised Ireland's relative economic underdevelopment and the need for community funds to beenployed to bridge the gap with the other member states.

Since then, Ireland gas been a major beneficiary of Community financing, receiving grants amounting to £7.6 billion since 1973.

Ireland Referendum 1972

In 1972, Ireland conducted a decisive referendum on its entry into the European Economic Community (EEC), following renewed negotiations that culminated in the signing of the Treaty of Accession on January 22 of that year. The pivotal referendum, held in May 1972, yielded an emphatic outcome, with an overwhelming 83 percent of voters expressing their support for Ireland's membership in the European community.

This resounding endorsement reflected a comprehensive consensus among the Irish electorate, emphasizing the perceived economic advantages, heightened trade prospects, and a shared sense of European identity. The earlier signing of the Treaty of Accession in January formalized Ireland's commitment to joining the EEC, signifying a transformative milestone that would significantly influence the nation's economic and geopolitical trajectory.

Poster on the Irish referendum for joining the European Communities on 10 May 1972 produced by Fianna Fáil. / HAEU, NDG-475-I.1

Application for Membership of the EEC

The "Ireland Application for Membership of the EEC" in 1973 marked a pivotal juncture in the nation's history. Despite global perceptions of Ireland as an insignificant island, political leaders like Seán Lemass and Jack Lynch championed European integration. However, skepticism prevailed due to Ireland's agriculturally based economy, heavily reliant on the UK market, resulting in poverty and emigration.

The road to EEC membership faced obstacles, notably in 1963 when French President Charles de Gaulle halted negotiations, setting back Ireland's aspirations by a decade. A subsequent application in 1967 faced a similar block but found promise in 1969 under President George Pompidou.

The new negotiations culminated in the signing of the Treaty of Accession on January 22, 1972. The decisive referendum in May 1972 marked Ireland's entry into the EEC. Commencing on January 1, 1973, Ireland's EEC membership marked a transformative moment, defying earlier perceptions and positioning the nation for active participation in the evolving European Union.

Letter of application for membership of the European Economic Community (EEC), 31 July 1961, signed by the Irish Prime Minister (An Taoiseach), Sean Lemass. (HAEU, CM5/ADH1 – 152.2)

Signing and Accession Ceremony 1972

On January 22, 1972, the distinguished Egmont Palace in Brussels hosted the formal signing ceremony of the Accession Treaty for Ireland, marking the nation's definitive entry into the European Economic Community (EEC). The ceremony featured the significant participation of Patrick Hillery, the former Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the esteemed former Taoiseach Jack Lynch. Their signatures, affixed during this solemn occasion, symbolized Ireland's resolute commitment to European integration.

The choice of the Egmont Palace, renowned for its historical significance, added gravitas to the event. The signing represented a crucial milestone in Ireland's trajectory toward EEC membership, a decision motivated by economic imperatives and the aspiration for a more robust European presence. This formal ceremony laid the groundwork for Ireland's subsequent official induction into the EEC on January 1, 1973, defining the nation's role within the continually evolving European Union.

Photograph of signing ceremony on the accession treaty of Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom: Signing for Ireland was Patrick Hillery, Irish President and Jack [John] Lynch, Irish Prime Minister (An Taoiseach), Brussels, 22 January 1972. Photo: Unknown author - European Commission / HAEU, FMM-78-13

Ireland in the EU

As Ireland marks its 50th year within the European Union (EU), a comprehensive review unveils profound shifts across economic, societal, and geopolitical spheres. Economically, EU integration spurred Ireland's evolution from an agrarian economy to a dynamic, diversified one, catalyzing growth in pharmaceuticals, technology, and finance.

The EU's impact on societal norms is evident in dismantling workplace discrimination and establishing legal frameworks for equality. Noteworthy is the reversal of historical emigration patterns, providing Irish citizens with unrestricted opportunities for study and work across the EU.

Geopolitically, the EU played a pivotal role in Ireland's peace process, fostering reconciliation through cross-border investments. The EU's commitment to the Belfast Agreement and preventing a hard border during Brexit negotiations solidifies its role as a guarantor of regional stability.

Ireland's EU membership translates into economic advantages, robust environmental policies, and global influence. EU investment in Irish agriculture, significant export growth, and financial autonomy through the adoption of the euro exemplify Ireland's integrated and mutually beneficial relationship within the EU over the past five decades.

Press Cutting from Commissioner Richard Burke’s archival collection depicting the EEC Roadshow, where a European Community mobile exhibition travelled throughout Ireland during the period July-September 1978. The roadshow was organised by the European Commission’s Information Office in Dublin. (HAEU, RB – 33)

Ireland and the European University Institute (EUI)

Following the accession of Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom to the European Community in 1973, they later became parties to the convention that established the European University Institute (EUI). In 1992, the 12 Community member states signed a new convention, revising the 1972 EUI-establishing convention. This revised agreement took effect in 2007 upon the ratification by the final contracting state. After his presidency of the University College Dublin from 1986 to 1993, the Irish professor Patrick Masterson was appointed the 4th President of the European University Institute, a post he held from 1994 to 2001. During these years, numerous Irish personalities have visited the EUI, such as President Mary McAleese in 1999 or, recently, President Michael D. Higgins in 2018.