People from more than 132 countries celebrate Irish citizenship

Killarney ceremony first of six which will see 5,200 people granted Irish citizenship

Some of the new Irish citizens at a special ceremony at the INEC, Killarney, on Monday.

Little Irish flags waved across a packed auditorium in Killarney at one of six ceremonies which will grant approximately 5,200 people Irish citizenship.

Applicants from more than 132 countries will make a declaration of loyalty to the State and become Irish citizens at the INEC Killarney on Monday and Tuesday.

Keith Wood, former Irish and Munster rugby player now TV pundit, attended the ceremony with his wife Nicola, originally from the UK, who became an Irish citizen today.

“I found it strangely emotional,” Mr Wood said.

“There’s a lot of anger globally, and this was something that was bringing it back down to what it is to be Irish, it was pretty cool.” 

New Irish citizens stand for the national anthem.

Nicola Wood has been living in Ireland for 17 years.

“It’s been a long time coming. All my boys have gone to school here," she said.

“So this completes the family unit.

“It was a lovely ceremony. The words were perfect.” 

Mrs Wood said that Irish citizenship will “definitely make travelling easier.” 

“I was always in the long queue going through the airport,” she said.

“He [Keith Wood] won’t have to wait for me anymore!” 

Ayesha Mustaq, originally from Chennai, India, was granted citizenship today after being in Ireland for six years.

She now lives in Ballincollig, Cork with her three-year-old daughter and her husband.

“We came to Ireland because of the inclusivity here. And because it is such a peaceful country to be in,” Ayesha said.

“My husband and I are from various religious backgrounds and that doesn’t matter here at all. We’re treated as equal. And it’s the best place to raise a child.

“I feel so glad today. We don’t have to take visas anymore to travel and my family all have the same citizenship. That’s a big relief.” But it is also slightly bittersweet for Ayesha, who works in IT for an Irish bank, because to take Irish citizenship, she had to renounce her Indian citizenship.

“I’m happy today but it’s mixed emotions. Underneath I’m Indian,” she said.

The family was granted citizenship just days after the government announced plans to tighten migration policy, with stricter rules for citizenship and family reunification to be introduced.

Minister of State with responsibility for Migration, Colm Brophy attended the ceremony and commended the new Irish citizens for their contribution to the country.

“Looking around this room, I see more than smiles and proud faces. I see stories. I see courage, charisma, ambition and hope.

“I am aware that for many of you here today, the journey to Irish citizenship has been one of great personal effort and sacrifice,” Minister Brophy said.

“Ireland understands migration deeply. For centuries, Irish people left our shores in search of safety, employment and new opportunities."

Migration is now seen in our hospitals and schools, in our farms and factories, in tech hubs and shops, he said. 

"And most importantly, it is seen in our local communities – where you have brought refreshing energy and new dreams to villages, towns and cities right across this island.

“You have made Ireland a more diverse, compassionate and culturally rich place, and for this, we thank you.” 

The packed INEC on Monday.

One woman wiped a tear from her eye as the harp was played during the ceremony.

The Irish tricolour, co-opted by far-right and anti-migrant groups in recent months, stood tall on the stage, once again the symbol of inclusivity that it was designed to be, originally representing a longed-for peace and union between Catholic and Protestant communities in Ireland.

Strangers turned to their neighbours in the INEC auditorium and shook hands as they became Irish citizens.

As people streamed out of the auditorium, some remained to take selfies in the hall to capture and preserve their first moments as Irish citizens.

Wearing a green blazer emblazoned with shamrocks, Albin Scaria, a pharmaceutical scientist and musician, originally from India, said he felt “blessed” to receive citizenship today.

Albin came to Ireland in 2018 to study a Masters in pharmaceutical sciences with Trinity College Dublin.

“I researched Ireland and the culture and the music, everything was so awesome for me. It was a place I always wanted to visit,” he said.

“I was really blessed to find my course here. And pharmaceuticals is such a big sector here with a lot of companies and investment and expansions in research. So that’s why I chose Ireland.

“But I’m a musician as well. And when I visited the pubs I would see people playing the Irish music and I fell in love with it. So I started playing with the local bands here and learning the different genres.” 

Albin is now learning Irish tunes on the tin whistle.

“Today I am so blessed that I can call myself an Irish citizen,” he said.

“Thank you to the Irish government and the Irish people for receiving me as one of their own," he said. 

Migration minister Colm Brophy with new Irish citizens Mirella Lucas De Carvalho and Caroline Nogueira Lourence.

IT professional Xiao Wan Fing wore a bright green and gold hat that her sister-in-law gave her for today’s ceremony.

Xiao, originally from central China, south of the Yellow River, has been in Ireland for six years.

“I followed my husband here,” she said.

Her British-born husband, a software developer working in the gaming sector, became an Irish citizen last year.

“I’m very excited. We have a baby here so I’m the last one to get Irish rights.

“It will feel more like home.

“It’s not just documents or a passport, it’s feeling welcome, feeling safe.” 

Xiao had to renounce her Chinese citizenship to get her Irish passport.

“My country does not allow dual citizenship. It’s kind of hurtful, because in my heart I will always be Chinese. But it’s political. It will make it more complicated whenever I have to go back to China.

“But the good news is China now offers visa-free for the Irish for one month per year.” 

Lucie Tiercelin, 24, an architect who is originally from France, also received Irish citizenship today.

“I’ve been living here 15 years, most of my life, and I feel part of myself is Irish, and I love that I’m able to be part of this nation officially and not just as a guest.

“It’s important to me, to my identity as a person living in Ireland for so long.” 

Apurv held his daughter Eyana, age 3, in his arms, after his wife was granted Irish citizenship today.

“We’re from Mumbai in India but we live in Newbridge, Kildare now," he said.

“We wanted to explore another part of the world, see different cultures, try different food. Me and my wife love travelling a lot. We both work as software engineers.” Irish citizenship will “open a lot of opportunities” for the family, he said.

There were 1188 citizenship applications from Indians – the highest number of applications.

Brazil had the second highest number of applications on 572.

Romania had the third highest number of applications on 462, followed by the UK on 416.

Poland had 382 application, followed by the Philippines on 271, South Africa on 199, Pakistan on 186, Nigeria on 176, and China including Hong Kong on 154.