The Hunt Museum will see the return of the exhibition Ireland and the Birth of Europe!

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.