Open Day at Farmleigh to celebrate 50 years of European Unity

On Sunday 8 July, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of Public Works will host a family fun day in celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome.  The event will be held at the Farmleigh Estate, in the north-west corner of the Phoenix Park, from 10am until 7pm, and will be open to the public and free of charge. This will be the first event of the 2007 summer programme at Farmleigh. 

A major feature of the day will be the ‘EU village’ which will offer a variety of cultural and culinary experiences from all the Member States of the European Union.  At 2.30pm the Army no 1 band will lead a gala parade along the avenue, followed by the Arcana performers.  Other events include performances by Ballet Ireland, an EU Quiz Trail (12pm-3pm), Irish and European live music in the pleasure grounds, troubadours and mime artists, children’s entertainment and food markets. 

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dermot Ahern, T.D., said

“Ireland has benefited greatly from membership of the European Union.  EU support for agriculture, structural funding, the creation of the euro and the opportunities available to Ireland within the European single market are just some of the many advantages we have derived.   We have also contributed significantly to the development of the Union since our accession in 1973.  As the EU completes its first fifty years, there is much to celebrate – for Ireland and for Europe.    It is entirely fitting that we should mark this important EU anniversary by holding an event with broad public participation.

The EU50 Family Day at Farmleigh is intended to be a lively, enjoyable celebration of 50 years of European amity and cooperation.   It is especially important to involve our young people in these celebrations and to promote greater awareness of Europe’s remarkable progress over the past 50 years.” 

Background:  The Treaties of Rome, 1957 are the founding treaties of the European Union.  The 50^th anniversary of the Treaties is being marked in Ireland and throughout the Union over the course of the year with a series of commemorative events.  The family day at Farmleigh will be the major public celebration of the anniversary in Ireland.

ENDS +++ 5 July, 2007