In 2000 the Irish-Scottish Academic Initiative organised in Dublin a major international conference entitled "Ireland and Scotland: Nation, Region, Identity". The event was addressed by Scotland's First Minister Donald Dewar.

Whisky, Scotland's national drink, plays a vital role in the Scottish economy. Distilling generates £800 million of income in Scotland and supports over 41,000 Scottish jobs.

Saint Patrick is one of the world's most popular saints. He is best known as the patron saint of Ireland.

Ireland's presidency will be remembered for successfully steering through the passage of the EU Constitution and presiding over the entry of 10 new countries into the Union on May 1.

School partnerships in Europe are an increasingly common practice. The eTwinning action, launched by the EU in 2005, was created to give schools the opportunity to learn from and with each other, to share their views and to make friends.

Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan and Breton President Jean-Yves Le Drian have signed an agreement encouraging governmental co-operation in a range of areas including business, tourism and education.