A series of cultural and musical events is to take place across Ireland to mark Ireland's EU Presidency and the accession of ten new member states.
The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O'Donoghue, announced the programme of events for the coming months.
It includes a Mayday concert to be staged on O'Connell Street and a European fair to be held at St Stephen's Green as part of a 'Day of Welcomes'.
Over 250 Irish artists will also take part in events across Europe during the next six months.
Minister O'Donoghue said that the cultural programme would be one of the central features of the Irish Presidency and would highlight some of Ireland's greatest talents at a time when the global spotlight was on Ireland.
