The time from 1945 to 1949 was a period of difficult decisions and complicated diplomatic activity following the end of World War Two, with Ireland having to decide on the fate of over 300 German citizens in the country - soldiers, spies and diplomats - who were wanted by the Allies. At the same time the Irish people, thankful for having been spared the horrors of this war, set about helping those affected by it.

The period after 1949 is notable for the normalisation of relations with Germany on a political, diplomatic and economic level. These many moves towards stronger personal, economic and cultural links with Germany were among the first tentative steps towards Europe taken in the primarily isolationist Ireland of the 1950s.