Ireland’s 2026 2-Euro Commemorative Coin for the EU Council Presidency Issued

The Central Bank of Ireland has today unveiled the design of the 2-euro commemorative coin for Ireland’s 2026 EU Council Presidency. With this issue, Ireland marks its current Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which it holds from 1 July to 31 December 2026.

At the centre of the coin’s design is the official logo of Ireland’s 2026 EU Council Presidency. It shows a spiral arrangement of dots symbolising growth, dynamism and movement. Each of the five spiral arms consists of 27 dots, representing the 27 member states of the European Union. The open space created by the spiral in the centre forms a five-pointed star, echoing a central element of the European flag. The design is completed by the inscriptions “EU 2026” and “AE 2026”, where “AE” stands for the Irish name for the European Union (Aontas Eorpach). Above and below the motif is the country name “ÉIRE”.

The commemorative coin has been minted in an edition of 500,000 and enters general circulation from today. It will also be available in collector versions. The issue is part of the Central Bank of Ireland’s official coin programme for 2026.

This is Ireland’s first national 2-euro commemorative coin since the 2023 issue marking the 50th anniversary of the country’s accession to the European Union.

Source: Central Bank of Ireland