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Ireland and the Birth of Europe tells the story of the part played by Irish scholars and missionaries in the early history of the European idea, especially their cultural role in the consolidation of the empire built by the Carolingians, an empire that covered most of western Europe. This timely exhibition marks 50 years since Ireland joined the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1973. 

Ireland joined the European Economic Community, the forerunner of the European Union, in 1973, but Irish participation in the development of European identities dates back more than a thousand years. Ireland joined the European Economic Community, the forerunner of the European Union, in 1973, half a century after regaining independence. But Irish participation in the development of European identities dates back more than a thousand years. After the collapse of the Roman Empire in the West, Europeans built on its foundations to develop their own culture and identity. A people who had never been part of that empire played an important role in this great enterprise. Of the scholars who journeyed from across Europe to play their part in the emerging Schools on the Continent, many came from Ireland, and theirs was the longest lasting presence.

After the collapse of the Roman Empire in the West, Europeans built on its foundations to develop their own culture and identity.

St Columbanus was the first of the Irish missionaries and scholars to make a home on the Continent and in around the year 600, became the first to write ‘of all of Europe’ (totius Europae). He and his followers contributed to the shaping of a European heritage that endures today.

Researched, written and curated by Dr Damian Bracken, University College Cork, and Dr Angela Byrne for the Department of Foreign Affairs. Graphic design by Studio Suss.

Ireland and the Birth of Europe Exhibition Images

Ireland and the Birth of Europe Exhibition at The Hunt Museum

20-07-2023 The Hunt Museum , Ireland and the Birth of Europe 20 July - 8 September, 2023 opening night with Special Guests Mayor Gerald Mitchell and Dr. Damian Bracken, University College Cork, Performance by singer American Soprano Rosemary Heredos curated by Sian McInerney , Hunt Museum with MC Sinead Hutcheson, Hunt Museum. Picture: Keith Wiseman

Museum in a Box at Ireland and the Birth of Europe Exhibition at The Hunt Museum

20-07-2023 The Hunt Museum , Ireland and the Birth of Europe 20 July - 8 September, 2023 opening night with Special Guests Mayor Gerald Mitchell and Dr. Damian Bracken, University College Cork, Performance by singer American Soprano Rosemary Heredos curated by Sian McInerney , Hunt Museum with MC Sinead Hutcheson, Hunt Museum. Picture: Keith Wiseman

Ireland and the Birth of Europe Exhibition at The Hunt Museum

20-07-2023 The Hunt Museum , Ireland and the Birth of Europe 20 July - 8 September, 2023 opening night with Special Guests Mayor Gerald Mitchell and Dr. Damian Bracken, University College Cork, Performance by singer American Soprano Rosemary Heredos curated by Sian McInerney , Hunt Museum with MC Sinead Hutcheson, Hunt Museum. Picture: Keith Wiseman

Ireland and the Birth of Europe Exhibition at The Hunt Museum

20-07-2023 The Hunt Museum , Ireland and the Birth of Europe 20 July - 8 September, 2023 opening night with Special Guests Mayor Gerald Mitchell and Dr. Damian Bracken, University College Cork, Performance by singer American Soprano Rosemary Heredos curated by Sian McInerney , Hunt Museum with MC Sinead Hutcheson, Hunt Museum. Picture: Keith Wiseman

Ireland and the Birth of Europe Exhibition at The Hunt Museum

20-07-2023 The Hunt Museum , Ireland and the Birth of Europe 20 July - 8 September, 2023 opening night with Special Guests Mayor Gerald Mitchell and Dr. Damian Bracken, University College Cork, Performance by singer American Soprano Rosemary Heredos curated by Sian McInerney , Hunt Museum with MC Sinead Hutcheson, Hunt Museum. Picture: Keith Wiseman

Launch of Ireland and the Birth of Europe

The official launch of Ireland and the Birth of Europe took place on Thursday, 20th July 2023.

Special guests in attendance were Limerick Mayor Gerald Mitchell and Dr. Damian Bracken of University College Cork, a co-curator of the exhibition.

American Soprano Rosemary Heredos performed a specially prepared performance inspired by the exhibition.

Rosemary Heredos

Soprano Rosemary Heredos

Soprano Rosemary Heredos

Photographs from the official launch of Ireland and the Birth of Europe

20-07-2023 The Hunt Museum, Ireland and the Birth of Europe opening night. L-R John Logan, The Hunt Trust; Sinead Hutchison, Exhibitions Manager The Hunt Museum; Limerick Mayor Gerald Mitchell; Dr. Damian Bracken, University College Cork; Dr. Jill Cousins, Director & CEO The Hunt Museum; Sian McInerney, Collections Project Manager The Hunt Museum. Picture: Keith Wiseman

20-07-2023 The Hunt Museum , Ireland and the Birth of Europe 20 July - 8 September, 2023 Picture: Keith Wiseman

20-07-2023 The Hunt Museum, Ireland and the Birth of Europe opening night. L-R Dr. Jill Cousins, Director & CEO The Hunt Museum; Sinead Hutchison, Exhibitions Manager, The Hunt Museum; Sian McInerney, Collections Project Manager The Hunt Museum. Picture: Keith Wiseman

20-07-2023 The Hunt Museum , Ireland and the Birth of Europe 20 July - 8 September, 2023 opening night with Special Guests Mayor Gerald Mitchell and Dr. Damian Bracken, University College Cork, Performance by singer American Soprano Rosemary Heredos curated by Sian McInerney , Hunt Museum with MC Sinead Hutcheson, Hunt Museum. Picture: Keith Wiseman

20-07-2023 The Hunt Museum , Ireland and the Birth of Europe 20 July - 8 September, 2023 opening night with Special Guests Mayor Gerald Mitchell and Dr. Damian Bracken, University College Cork. Picture: Keith Wiseman

20-07-2023 The Hunt Museum, Ireland and the Birth of Europe 20 July - 8 September, L-R Jackie, Ciara, Karen, Friends of the Hunt Museum, 2023 Picture: Keith Wiseman

20-07-2023 The Hunt Museum , Ireland and the Birth of Europe 20 July - 8 September, 2023 opening night with Special Guest Mayor Gerald Mitchell. Picture: Keith Wiseman

Dr. Damian Bracken, University College Cork. Picture: Keith Wiseman

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