Events in IrelandHeads of state and government from all member states of the enlarged European Union will converge on Dublin this weekend to celebrate the Union's expansion from 15 to 25 states.
The 10 accession states - the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia - will legally become members of the EU from midnight tomorrow. At 5.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, the occasion will be marked with a symbolic signing-in ceremony and flag raising at Áras an Uachtaráin, the residence of the President, Mrs McAleese, in the Phoenix Park, Dublin.
Ireland, as current holder of the rotating EU presidency, is hosting the enlargement ceremony. Apart from the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, other members of the Government and their opposite numbers from throughout the EU, the ceremony will also be attended by the president of the EU Commission, Mr Romano Prodi, and the president of the European Parliament, Mr Pat Cox. There will be simultaneous events throughout the EU but most especially in the capital cities of the 10 new member states.
Tens of thousands of people are due to join in the celebrations in Dublin and 10 other towns and cities throughout the Republic, each one of which has been twinned for the day with an accession state.
Up to 100,000 are expected in Dublin's Merrion Square alone where a European Fair will showcase food, art, trade, culture and music from all 25 member states.
The celebrations begin at Sandymount Strand in south Dublin tomorrow evening with a fireworks display created the by award-winning French pyrotechnics team, Groupe F. The company, which was responsible for the illumination of the Eiffel Tower at the turn of the last century, said the Stars of the Sea show would see "the roots of 'old Europe' rise above the waters in a gigantic wake of stardust".
An emotional night of music is promised in Galway where The Last Concert of Old Europe, performed by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, will bring the crowds to their feet at midnight at St Nicholas Church.
A wide range of events, from funfairs and rock concerts to art exhibits and poetry readings, have been scheduled for the nine other welcoming towns and cities.
Some of the biggest crowds are expected at an all-day beach party in Bray, Co Wicklow on Saturday; a six-hour free concert on Patrick's Street, Cork; and a fireworks display at King John's Castle, Limerick, on Saturday night.
At Merrion Square, highlights include the Tyrolean thigh-slapping group from Westendorf, Austria; a traditional British Punch and Judy show; and various Irish and European musical acts, introduced by comedian Jon Kenny.
A series of protests are planned against aspects of EU immigration and economic policy by two separate groups, Another Europe is Possible (AEIP), a left-wing alliance led by the Socialist Workers' Party, and Dublin Grassroots Network (DGN), which draws its support from various anarchist and anti-globalisation campaigns, including the Reclaim The Streets group which was at the centre of clashes with gardaí on Dame Street in May 2002.
AEIP and DGN have called on protesters to distance themselves from any possible trouble-makers in the crowds. Several hundred activists from overseas are expected to join up to 5,000 Irish protesters at the demonstrations, which culminate in a rally outside Phoenix Park at 6 p.m.
The Garda has announced a series of road closures and traffic restrictions, including the shutting down of Phoenix Park to cars and pedestrians between 6 p.m. tomorrow and early Sunday. In a statement yesterday, it said: "This weekend promises to be historic for both Ireland and Europe. An Garda Síochána is fully committed to ensuring that the celebrations pass off peacefully and that a small minority will not be permitted to spoil the enjoyment of millions of Europeans both here and abroad.
"Every person has a right to protest peacefully within the law. However, where protesters engage in criminal activity it then becomes the responsibility of An Garda Síochána to deal with the situation. We are determined to prevent criminality and public disorder and we will ensure a prompt and effective response."
