Dublin buildings turning blue for UN’s 70th anniversary

Buildings in Dublin will join the Pyramids, the Empire State Building and the Sydney Opera House in “turning blue” for the United Nations’ 70th anniversary.

Dublin Castle and Iveagh House, the headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs, will be lit blue on Saturday for the worldwide celebration, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of Ireland joining the UN.

The country became a member of the international confederation in 1955 alongside Italy, Portugal, Spain and others, and 382 members of the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána are currently serving in UN missions across Africa and the Middle East.

The event is part of United Nations Day, which aims to reflect on the UN's global achievements in promoting peace and cooperation over the last seven decades.

"United Nations Day offers us an opportunity to highlight Ireland's commitment to the UN, our membership of which has been a cornerstone of Ireland's foreign policy for the past 60 years," said Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan.

“Over the last 60 years, Ireland’s legacy as a member of the UN has included playing a leading role in Nuclear Non Proliferation and Disarmament and, more recently, co-facilitating agreement on the historic Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.