"Ireland into EEC - The 1972 Debate"

dublin | eu | event notice Sunday November 03, 2013 21:48 by Frank Keoghan - People’s Movement post at people dot ie 25 Shanowen Crescent, Dublin 9 087- 230 8330

An Interactive Art Exhibition

A new exhibition examining the referendum campaign in 1972 on Irish membership of the (then) EEC is due to be opened in Templebar on Saturday 16th November 2013.

Admission is free - Everyone Welcome

Artist Robert Ballagh to Launch new Exhibition at 7.00 pm on Saturday evening the 16th November

The referendum that took place on May 10th 1972 saw the crucial decision of Ireland joining the following year, 1973, forty years ago.

In 1972 the 6-week referendum campaign saw many political and cultural figures contributing to the debate in this once-in-a-lifetime vote. These included the late Garret Fitzgerald, Tom Barry, Alan Dukes, Desmond Fennell, Jack Lynch, Michael D. Higgins, Charlie Haughey, Mary Robinson, Declan Costello, Niall Tóibín, George Colley, and Luke Kelly.

At a time when an unprecedented economic crisis has prompted some to reassess Ireland’s
relationship with the EU, this exhibition looks at the aspirations and concerns captured in 1972 in
pamphlets, leaflets and election posters. Many of the key public policy decisions in political, economic
and social areas that shaped modern Ireland over the last generation can be traced back to our joining
the EEC

Some of the areas that came up for debate were Fisheries, Foreign Policy, Agriculture, and Industry and Labour issues. These issues are dealt with in the material on exhibit: posters, pamphlets, leaflets, notices of public meetings, internal bulletins for the campaign groups, and newspaper articles.

This is the first time that this type of exhibition has ever been done!

The “Ireland into EEC - The 1972 Debate” exhibition only has a short run before it goes on tour around the country: Saturday November 16th – Thursday the 21st in the Culture Box (opposite Charlie’s 11 and next door to The Stage Door coffee shop), 12 East Essex Street, Templebar, Dublin 2

Exhibition will run from Sat 16th to Thur 21st inclusive from 12.00 to 6.00. Free Admission

People’s Movement campaigns against any measures that further develop the EU into a federal state and to defend and enhance sovereignty, democracy and social justice in Ireland.

Patrons: Robert Ballagh, Cllr. Declan Bree, Cllr Catherine Connolly, Bob Crow, Raymond Deane, Rev. Terence P. McCaughey, Prof. John Maguire, Dervla Murphy, Joe Noonan, Cllr Seosamh O’Cuaig, Cllr Chris O’Leary, Cllr Cieran Perry, Thomas Pringle TD.