Citizenship ceremonies are took place at the Convention Centre in Dublin on Monday.
Across two days, six individual ceremonies are being held to welcome around 6,000 people.
Participants from over 138 nations and from all 32 counties on the island will officially pledge loyalty to the Irish State and become citizens.
In advance of the events, Minister of State Colm Brophy stated: “I know the importance of migration and the essential role it plays in the development of our nation and how it contributes to our society, reports RTE.
“I encourage each of our new citizens to continue to integrate and help create communities where everyone contributes, belongs and thrives,” reports RTE.
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe added: “Our new citizens have brought skills and talents from around the world that are enhancing the capabilities of our labour market and economy and in obtaining their citizenship are committing their future to Ireland.”
New citizens must formally promise to uphold the laws of Ireland and respect its democratic principles.
The application process takes an average of eight months, with nearly 31,000 applications handled in 2024, reports RTE.
Most applicants still receive a final decision within one year.
Carol Hernandez and Wilson Gomez, both from Colombia originally, received their citizenship today.
”It’s incredible to be able to say finally that I’m an Irish citizen. My husband is Irish, we met in Colombia actually, and that’s why I’m here. Now I have a little baby, he’s Irish, and now we are going to have three Irish passports,” said Ms Hernandez, reports RTE.
“I’m feeling very proud now to be an Irish citizen and really happy because \[of] all the effort and all the struggle I had passing through here in Ireland. But it’s now my home and I feel very happy to be an Irish citizen,” said Mr Gomez, reports RTE.
Alan Santos, who came from Brazil, met and married his Irish wife after moving to Ireland.
”I’m really emotional, you know, because it’s been a long path to be here,” he said, reports RTE.
“I came from Brazil to improve my English skills and further my career and I feel part of this community. I feel like the Irish people. My wife is Irish as well, we have kids, Irish kids so I’m glad to be here at this event,” he added, reports RTE.
Sharon Bellam, who is originally from Mumbai, has been living in Ireland for nine years.
”It’s been a good experience for me. I have very good Irish colleagues, they’ve been very welcoming, very supportive,” she said, reports RTE.
“It feels good. Now I can go anywhere in the Schengen area, any of the European countries, so that feels very good,” reports RTE.
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