Ireland launches €2 commemorative coin for EU Council Presidency

The Central Bank of Ireland unveiled a special €2 commemorative coin to mark the start of Ireland’s eighth Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Five hundred thousand coins will enter circulation across the country, featuring the official Presidency logo—a spiral of 27 discs representing the EU’s member states and a five‑pointed star derived from the EU flag. The launch was attended by Central Bank Governor Gabriel Makhlouf and Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris, who said the coin highlights Ireland’s role in European cooperation. The coins began circulating on Tuesday and will appear in wallets, tills and piggy banks throughout Ireland and the eurozone, with a proof collector set slated for sale in mid‑July. The presidency’s theme, “Ní neart go cur le chéile” (strength through unity), underpins the design.