Convergence is not Automatic: Lessons from Ireland for Central and Eastern Europe Frank Barry * Department of Economics University College Dublin Frank.Barry@ucd.ie August 2000 Abstract For over 70 years Irish income per head remained at around 60 percent of the level prevailing in the country's dominant trading partner, the UK. Ireland began to converge rapidly over the last 15 years however, and parity has now been achieved with the UK and the overall EU. This paper analyses the changes in public policy that facilitated the turnaround in economic fortunes. (The World Economy, November 2000) * Frank Barry lectures in economics at University College Dublin and edited Understanding Ireland's Economic Growth (London: Macmillan Press, 1999).