Euro Gold and Silver Commemorative Coins (Ireland) - 2007 Coinage

Reverse: Four metamorphic figures in a cruciform arrangement in animated conversation with each figure holding in its hand an item that references a different aspect of how Ireland has influenced and inspired European Celtic culture: literature, music, construction & new technology. rim- denomination (7 times) & Eurostar mark (1 time). The coin was part of the Europa coin programme's 2007 Theme European Realisation.

The coins were launched at a reception in the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, hosted by the Governor of the Central Bank, John Hurley.

Obverse: Female harpist playing the Dalway harp.

Reverse: two shamrock leaves with date upper left and the Brian Boru harp lower right and two squares (taken from the Croatian crest), éire above, denomination below.

The design, known as 'Girl with Harp' was prepared in 1927 by Ivan Meštrović (1883 - 1962), a Croatian Sculptor of international renown, as an entry in the competition for the design of the 1928 Irish Free State coinage. Unfortunately, the design arrived too late for consideration. The Chairman of the Design Committee, William Butler Yeats, subsequently wrote "He made one magnificent design and, on discovering that the date had passed, gave it to the Irish Free State with great generosity"

The design has been used as the seal of the Central Bank of Ireland since 1963.

The €15 coin was produced with the permission and co-operation of the Meštrović Foundation in Croatia. In addition to the 8,000 individual €15 coins issued, a double proof coin set, limited to 2,000 sets, was also issued. The double coin set included the €15 silver proof coin as well as a 150 Kuna silver proof coin. This sister coin is identical to the Irish coin except for an inscription in Croatian and the Croatian crest in place of the shamrock.

1,000 sets were sold exclusively in Croatia while the other 1,000 sets were only available to purchase at the Dublin International Coin Fair held in the RDS on 16th & 17th February 2007.