Ireland Grants Citizenship to 5,000 Individuals in Dublin Ceremony

Key Highlights

1. Irish authorities recently granted citizenship to 5,000 individuals.
2. Since 2011, the total number of naturalised Irish citizens has surpassed 200,000.
3. The largest groups of new citizens came from India, the UK, and Brazil.

A total of 5,000 individuals from over 130 countries officially became Irish citizens during ceremonies held on February 12 and 14.

The final naturalisation event took place at Dublin’s Convention Centre, where participants received their citizenship certificates across six ceremonies.

"I know how much becoming an Irish citizen means to each and every person attending these ceremonies. It represents more than just obtaining an Irish passport; it’s about belonging, making Ireland your home, and becoming an integral part of our society."
— Jim O’Callaghan, Ireland’s Minister for Justice

Faster Citizenship Processing in Ireland

According to Irish Central, the Citizenship Division has significantly improved its application processing capacity. In 2023, it handled 12,000 applications, increasing to over 20,000. By 2024, this number rose to 31,000. The processing time has also been reduced from 15 months in 2023 to just eight months in 2024.

Minister Encourages New Citizens to Contribute to Irish Society

During his speech, Minister O’Callaghan encouraged Ireland’s newest citizens to actively participate in society and contribute to the country's growth.

"I urge all our new citizens to take an active role in our society. Together, we can make Ireland an even better place. Migration has enriched our towns, villages, and communities, making them more diverse, vibrant, and dynamic places to live, study, and work."
— Minister O’Callaghan

Many of the newly naturalised individuals originally moved to Ireland for education or employment opportunities but eventually decided to settle permanently.

New Irish Citizens: Stories of Integration

One such example is Barbara Franzonidaileira, a Brazilian who arrived in Ireland 15 years ago. Now working for an energy company, she recalls how adapting to the Irish climate was one of her biggest challenges.

"I’m thrilled. I’ve been waiting for this for so long. I initially came to Ireland just to study English, but I fell in love with the country. The people are so welcoming. This moment confirms that Ireland is truly my home."
— Barbara Franzonidaileira, Irish Citizen

Top Nationalities Granted Irish Citizenship

According to RTE News, the top ten nationalities among newly naturalised Irish citizens are:

1. India – 914 applicants (18.2%)
2. United Kingdom – 614 (12.2%)
3. Brazil – 531
4. Romania – 380
5. Poland – 360
6. Philippines – 241
7. South Africa – 210
8. Nigeria – 205
9. Pakistan – 191
10. United States – 191

Since 2011, Ireland has hosted 203 citizenship ceremonies, granting nationality to individuals from over 180 countries. The total number of Irish citizens naturalised since then has now exceeded 200,000.