Were you a New Year’s baby in 1973?

Ireland marks 50 years of EU membership this January 1st and there’s a special celebration planned to mark the occasion.

European Movement Ireland is calling for babies born on January 1st, 1973 who were presented with special medallions marking Ireland joining the then European Economic Community to come forward and join them for a once-off event.

Some 160 Irish babies born on New Year’s Day were presented with commemorative medals, commissioned by the then Irish Council of the European Movement (now European Movement Ireland) to mark this pivotal moment in Irish history.

The medallion, de-stamped from bronze and dipped in silver, was designed by Bill Watson of Wordsmith Ltd, Dublin.

Each one is dated Jan 1st, 1973, and is engraved with the name of the child to whom it was presented.

“The idea of presenting the children born on New Year’s Day in Ireland with a special Europa medal was part of a programme arranged by the Irish Council of the European Movement to mark the historic occasion of Ireland formally becoming part of the European Economic Community,” said Noelle O Connell, CEO of European Movement Ireland.

“So we’re making a special plea for all of these Eurobabies to please come forward as part of a celebration to mark the transformative impact of 50 years of membership in the EU and Ireland’s emergence as a modern, open economy and society – as well as celebrate their own birthday!”

Eurobabies can get in touch with European Movement Ireland by emailing info@europeanmovement.ie.