‘I’m so relieved and grateful’: 1,500 people become Irish citizens in Dublin

New Irish citizens at the RDS, Ballsbridge, today. At the first in-person Citizenship Ceremony in Dublin for over four years, people from over 100 countries were conferred as Irish citizens. Photograph: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie

Around 1,500 people became Irish citizens on Friday, giving a declaration of loyalty to Ireland and standing for the national anthem.

Justice Minister Simon Harris, who addressed the first group of new citizens, paid tribute to those “who are part of our national tapestry of communities right across the country”.