More than 11,000 use 'Granny Rule' to secure Irish citizenship

Up to 11,500 people have tried to use the "Granny Rule" to claim Irish citizenship in the past year.

It first came to prominence when Republic of Ireland soccer manager Jack Charlton used it to secure top players for the team.

They showed up at Irish embassies around the world during 2010, claiming Irish citizenship because they have an Irish grandmother or grandfather.

Demand has spiked in the past two years following the Global Irish Economic Forum in Farmleigh in Dublin which raised awareness on the rule.

Commenting on the figures, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said they underline the strong demand from the 70 million strong global Irish family to maintain their links with Ireland.

And for those not entitled to a passport and full citizenship there is the Certificate of Irish Heritage which the Minister said is being finalised and an announcement will be made in the coming weeks.