The Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy TD marked Europe Day 2026 by visiting Piercestown National School and St Fintan’s National School, Taghmon in Wexford

The visit is part of a national programme of Europe Day engagements taking place across Ireland this week, ahead of Ireland assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July 2026.  The objective is to encourage a greater understanding and awareness of our EU membership and what it means in 2026. As part of the Blue Star Programme, students of both Piercestown N.S. and St. Fintan’s N.S. Taghmon showcased their creative and educational projects on the European Union.

The Blue Star Programme is an education initiative for primary school pupils across Ireland to foster better understanding and knowledge of the European Union and how it affects the lives of Irish citizens among primary pupils through classroom projects and activities. The Blue Star Programme is part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Communicating Europe Initiative.  

The Ceann Comhairle spoke to the students about the importance of Europe Day, Ireland’s relationship with the European Union and hosted a Q & A with the students. Speaking about the school events, the Ceann Comhairle remarked: “Europe Day celebrates 75 years since the Schuman declaration, a proposal made by then French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman, which is considered the beginning of what is now the European Union.

We again take this opportunity to reflect on what the European Union has meant to us as a nation and particularly for our young people who have shown to me, through their Blue Star Programme projects, that the young people of Ireland’s relationship with Europe is stronger than ever.”

The European Parliament’s Autumn 2025 Eurobarometer survey, conducted across the EU 27 Member States between 6 and 30 November 2025, found that 86% of Irish citizens consider Ireland’s EU membership to be “a good thing.”

ENDS