
- Home
- Festival & events
- EPIC Exhibition - Common Ground: Ireland in the EU
EPIC Exhibition - Common Ground: Ireland in the EU


Wednesday, 1 July 2026 - Thursday, 31 December 2026
About this event
Ireland joined the European Economic Community (EEC) – as the EU was then known – on January 1, 1973, after a referendum endorsed by 83% of voters. It was then among the poorest and most underdeveloped countries in western Europe, with a population just over half of its current size.
Ireland’s accession proved to be the most consequential economic milestone in the half century since Irish independence, but it also set in motion far-reaching social and cultural change. EU legislation has driven improvements in workers’ rights, for example, and set binding targets for climate action. Irish people have studied and built new lives across Europe, while many Europeans have since made their homes here in Ireland.


Art ExhibitionsVoices of Peace Visual Art Exhibition reflecting on Peace, Equality and Human Rights
More detailsThu, 1 Oct - Sun, 29 Nov
30 Sandycove Road
Art ExhibitionsRembrandt to Matisse – A Celebration of European Works on Paper
More detailsSun, 6 Sep - Sun, 6 Dec
National Gallery of Ireland
Art ExhibitionsArtist-Initiated Projects 2026
More detailsWed, 21 Jan - Sat, 12 Dec
Pallas Projects/Studios

Art ExhibitionsTechnologies of Peace: Art and Transition in Contemporary Europe (1989–2026)
More detailsSat, 12 Sep 2026 - Sun, 9 May 2027
IMMA. Irish Museum of Modern Art


Lectures & readingsJonathan Swift Festival: Craicademia
More detailsWed, 18 Nov
Rascals Brewing Company
Food ExperiencesJonathan Swift Festival: Gulliver’s Travels Gala Dinner
More detailsThu, 19 Nov
St Patrick's Cathedral
