Imelda Hickey (9), from Castledermot, Co Kildare, and Gerard Raftery (11), from Barnadeg, Tuam, Co Galway, will represent Ireland at a special ceremony in Frankfurt on December 31st, on the eve of the introduction of the new currency.
Their host for the evening will be Mr Wim Duisenberg, president of the European Central Bank.
The event will be attended by children from each of the 12 euro zone countries. It will take place in the Congress Centre at the Frankfurt Trade Fair.
The Irish youngsters won the "Be a Euro Superstar" competition organised by the Central Bank of Ireland in conjunction with the other central banks of the euro area.
Imelda and Gerard will be presented with the first euro bank-notes in a specially designed commemorative case.
The Irish winners of the competition will also receive a laptop, a certificate signed by Mr Duisenberg and T-shirts for their classmates.
The competition was open to all children between eight and 12 and resident in the 12 countries of the euro area.
Based on a series of multiple choice questions, it was designed to encourage children to familiarise themselves with the new euro banknotes.
Among useful websites during the changeover period are:
The European Changeover Board of Ireland's website is www.euro.ie
The LoCall number is 1980 201050.
The European Consumer Information Centre's website is www.ecic.ie Tel: 01-8090600.
The Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs' website is www.odca.ie
The LoCall number is 1890 220229. The number of the Cork office is 021-4274099.
The Forfβs EMU Business Awareness Campaign's website is www.emuaware.forfas.ie
The LoCall number is 1890 208308.
The Irish Bankers' Federation website is www.ibf.ie Tel: 01-6715311.
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