'I love Ireland and my life here': Celebrations as almost 5,000 people become Irish citizens
Marah Rfaai, Bandon, Co Cork, and originally from Syria after receiving her citizenship at the citizenship ceremonies at the INEC, Killarney, Co Kerry on Monday. Pictures: Eamon Ward
"Becoming a citizen means everything," proudly declared Dr Rabia Tayyub, one of the almost 5,000 people who on Tuesday became Irish citizens.
Ceremonies held in Killarney, Co Kerry, over the last two days saw 4,800 people from across the globe, and who live and work in Ireland, granted citizenship. Those from India accounted for the greatest number — at almost 1,000 — followed by the UK with 416 citizens. There were more than 200 new Irish citizens who hail originally from Brazil, the Philippines, Poland, Romania, South Africa, Nigeria, and Pakistan, while 119 people from the USA were granted citizenship.
In all, the applicants were drawn from 138 countries around the world.
Immigration has now replaced a history of emigration in the state, with one fifth of the population now born outside Ireland, Áine Griffin of the Department of Justice told those present at the INEC in Killarney.
The Irish for citizen was ‘saorá¡nach’ based on the root word meaning ‘free’, Ms Griffin said to a spontaneous round of applause.
Retired judge Ms Justice Mary Irvine, presiding officer, urged the new citizens to seize the day and the opportunities “the landmark event” of citizenship afforded them.
Leeds born Seáin Laughey, whose family are among just 16 Laugheys in the world — has lived in Dublin for 20 years, and said Brexit and its restrictions had prompted him to apply.
Since Brexit, his wife and three children could "sail through" customs to France and Spain. Mr Laughey also worked for a company based in Portugal and traveling since Brexit was difficult.
"It’s rotten," he said of Brexit.
Hrvoje Graf from Zagreb in Croatia moved to Cratloe in Clare in 2016 and works with a printing company. He was very excited to receive his citizenship on Tuesday. His wife and three children — a 20-year-old student in UL; an 18-year-old currently sitting his Leaving Cert and a 12-year-old in primary school have also applied. Hrvoje’s mother Nada came for the occasion.
Hrovje’s first name means Croat — so now he will have to change his name to Eire he joked, adding his mother’s name meant hope.
Jinxin Wang from Bejing has been living in Dublin for 11 years. She arrived as a student and now works for KPMG. The decision was a big one, as she will have to give up her Chinese citizenship.
"It was something I was trying to work through for a while. It was a big decision. I do like Ireland a lot. I love the country and I like my life here,’ she said.
Jinxin wore a green dress to mark the occasion.
Elizabeth Castilllo is originally from Mexico city. A mother of two girls aged four years and eight months, Elizabeth was very emotional thinking of her father-in-law John Adams, who passed away just last year.
"He would have been very proud," she said.
Dr Umair Tayyub, originally from Pakistan and a gastro-endocrinologist in Galway, became an Irish citizen last year. His wife, Dr Rabia Tayyub, was in Killarney on Tuesday to accept her citizenship. The couple and their two children aged nine and five, a boy and a girl "love Ireland".
In Ireland for a decade, the last five years have been particularly lovely, they said.
"Becoming a citizen means everything," Dr Rabia said.
Canan Canpolat is originally from Istanbul. The family moved to Cork 13 years ago and she was accompanied to the ceremony by her younger sister Cansu, a student at MTU and already an Irish citizen.
A further two days of ceremonies, which are set to take place in Dublin in 10 days' time, will see thousands more people become Irish citizens.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
