Venue Information
The European Political Community meeting will be supported by a number of locations across Dublin. This section provides information on these venues and highlights points of interest in the surrounding area and across Ireland.
Convention Centre Dublin
Since 2010, the Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) has been a landmark of the Dublin Docklands and a leading venue for international meetings and events.
Located in the heart of a district transformed by business and cultural investment, the venue combines contemporary design with advanced facilities in Dublin’s city centre. Its distinctive curved glass atrium offers panoramic views of the city.
Since opening, the CCD has welcomed business leaders, researchers, policy makers and cultural organisations, welcoming participants from across the globe. The centre was specifically designed to host events of international scale while providing a welcoming and accessible experience for visitors and supporting sustainable event delivery.
As the venue for the European Political Community meeting, the Convention Centre Dublin provides a modern space for dialogue and cooperation in the heart of Dublin, a district that reflects Ireland’s connection Ireland to Europe and the wider world.
Dublin Docklands
For centuries, Dublin’s Docklands have connected Ireland to the wider world. Developed around the historic port, the area has served as a centre for maritime trade and traditional indistries such as poplin and silk production, helping to shape Dublin’s relationship with Europe and beyond.
Today, it is one of the capital’s most dynamic districts, bringing together international businesses, cultural venues and recreational spaces. The historic quays stand alongside contemporary architecture, reflecting both the city’s heritage and its continued development. Stretching along both sides of the River Liffey, the Docklands have evolved into a vibrant hub for innovation, culture, and public spaces while retaining strong connections to its maritime past.
Home to the Convention Centre Dublin, the venue for the European Political Community meeting, the Docklands continues its tradition as a place of international engagement. Defined by connection and exchange, Dublin Docklands provides an appropriate setting for dialogue on Europe’s shared future.
National Gallery of Ireland
Opened in 1864, the National Gallery of Ireland on Merrion Square in Dublin’s Georgian Quarter is home to Ireland’s national collection of Irish and European art. Located among parliamentary buildings and national institutions, it has become one of Ireland’s principal cultural institutions.
The Gallery has played an important role in preserving and presenting Irish and European works that reflect a shared cultural heritage. Through partnerships and exchanges with institutions across Europe, it continues to contribute to cultural dialogue across borders and time.
As the venue for the official dinner for the European Political Community, the National Gallery of Ireland provides an opportunity for delegates to gather in a setting that represents Ireland’s cultural heritage and Europe’s shared artistic traditions. The gallery’s collection highlights centuries of creative exchange across the continent, offering a fitting environment for dialogue and engagement.
Merrion Square
Merrion Square is one of Dublin city’s most intact examples of Georgian urban design. Constructed in the 18th century, the surrounding townhouses were home to notable figures in Irish literary, political and cultural history, reflecting the significance of the area in the development of the capital.
Over time, the square has become closely associated with Ireland’s political and cultural affairs. Today, it is home to multiple key national institutions, including Leinster House, seat of the Houses of the Oireachtas, and Government Buildings, placing Merrion Square at the heart of the State’s administrative and parliamentary district.
The public park in the centre has been restored to its historical layout and continues to serve as an important civic space in the city. Together, the square’s Georgian architecture, public space and institutional presence demonstrate Dublin’s development from a historic capital into a modern European centre of government and public administration.
As a location where heritage, public life and national institutions converge, Merrion Square reflects the enduring role of democratic governance and civic engagement in modern Ireland.
More about Ireland
Ireland is an island on the western edge of Europe, shaped by the Atlantic and with connections and links that span the world. Known for its landscapes, literature, music and warm welcomes, Ireland combines its deep cultural heritage with a modern, open economy and a strong commitment to Europe.
From ancient monuments and coastal landscapes, to world-leading innovation in technology, research, food and the creative industries, Ireland is a country where tradition and imagination sit side by side.
That sense of connection runs through Irish life, from culture and sport, to business, science and global affairs. Ireland’s influence reaches far beyond its shores, carried by a spirit of creativity and storytelling, and a belief in what can be built together.
Explore Ireland.ie
Ireland.ie is the official international website of the Irish Government. It is managed and curated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on behalf of the Government of Ireland.
Ireland.ie provides official information about passports, travel advice, and consular services abroad, and hosts the websites of Ireland’s global network of 100+ Embassies and Consulates. The platform supports Ireland’s international interests by promoting Ireland as a place to visit, study, invest and do business, and by showcasing stories of Ireland’s role and impact globally.