New UV artwork in Irish passport with increased security

Artwork visible under ultra-violet light features in the new Irish passport (Cillian Sherlock/PA)

New security features and imagery for Ireland’s next-generation passport have been launched.

The newly designed passport, launched on Friday by Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee, is described by the Government as “one of the world’s most advanced travel documents”.

Artwork in the new passport is inspired by Ireland’s heritage, history and culture, with designs chosen by the public as part of a nationwide consultation involving 15,000 people.

The Irish wolfhound emerged as a favourite and features prominently on the opening page, followed by a “journey through the Irish year, celebrating the habitats, wildlife and seasonal rhythms that have influenced life on the island for generations”.

The design also draws inspiration from Ireland’s “rich artistic and archaeological heritage”.

Minister Helen McEntee with Oisin the wolfhound and a new passport (Department of Foreign Affairs/PA)

The ancient carved spirals of Newgrange influenced many of the passport’s symbolic motifs and security patterns.

There is also Celtic knotwork, historic craftsmanship, hand-drawn illustrations and seasonal poetry.

Native flora and fauna appear, including the red fox, puffin, and swallow.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the passport maintains the highest international standards of document security and uses environmentally friendly security inks and new production methods.

Security features include tactile raised ink, embossing, metallic ink, tricolour thread, hidden illustrations, and UV security ink.

Together with Irish companies and artists, we have created a travel document that is both technically outstanding and unmistakably Irish

The main “sophisticated polycarbonate biometric data page” also has a transparent window, raised gold ink, temperature-changing ink and a hologram.

Ms McEntee said the document gives Irish citizens visa-free access to 186 countries.

She said: “It combines some of the world’s most advanced security technology with a design that proudly reflects who we are as a nation, our heritage, creativity and natural beauty.

“Together with Irish companies and artists, we have created a travel document that is both technically outstanding and unmistakably Irish.”

The new passport is available from Friday.