Inside the operation behind Dublin’s diplomatic gathering
The Office of Public Works brought together event planners, gardeners and technical specialists for the European Political Community summit. Their preparations formed part of Ireland’s six-month EU Presidency, with hundreds of official engagements scheduled nationwide.
The Office of Public Works helped stage what it described as the State’s biggest diplomatic event, bringing specialist teams together for the European Political Community summit at Convention Centre Dublin.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade led preparations with partners including An Garda Síochána and the Department of the Taoiseach. The OPW is providing venues and logistical support for Ireland’s EU Presidency, which runs from July to December 2026.
State Event Management Unit head Des Swords said his team was working on 254 events and 105 dinners during the Presidency. “Nobody can do this job on their own, it is about cohesion and close collaboration,” he said.
Fellow event manager Alisha Naughton said the summit’s scale was unprecedented for the team and its Government partners, including the task of moving 50 leaders around the capital.
Chief Park Superintendent Margaret Gormley and her team created 120 installations across three floors, using plants and flowers from OPW sites. Their ‘Talamh’ theme included a fern from Derrynane, Co Kerry, and dried wildflowers; foliage will be recycled to OPW sites.
Conservation, craft, grounds and ICT staff also supported preparations for the summit and other Presidency events.