3,600 new Irish citizens attend Citizenship Ceremonies at Convention Centre, Co. Dublin
-
From: Department of Justice
- Published on: 16 September 2024
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
3,600 new Irish citizens will be granted Irish citizenship in three ceremonies taking place today, Monday 16 September, at the Convention Centre Dublin.
The Ceremonies will see applicants from 143 countries around the world and living across 32 counties on the island of Ireland being conferred as Irish citizens.
This follows 14 Ceremonies held so far this year, with a total of 11,417 people attending and being conferred with Irish Citizenship.
Minister Helen McEntee, Minister Joe O’Brien, and Minister Neale Richmond will attend the ceremonies and are eager to meet as many new Irish citizens as possible.
Speaking ahead of the ceremonies, Minister McEntee said:
Today, at the Convention Centre Dublin, thousands of people will undertake a life changing journey and become an Irish Citizen.
Having had the privilege of attending many Citizenship ceremonies, it fills me with joy being able to share this special day with so many people.
I would like to congratulate all our new citizens and wholeheartedly thank them for their contribution and commitment to Irish society. I have no doubt that they will continue to contribute to making Ireland a more diverse and vibrant place to live.
The Presiding Officer at the ceremonies is retired Justice Paddy McMahon, who will administer the Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the State.
Speaking ahead of the first Ceremony today, Minister O’Brien said:
As Minister with responsibility for Integration, one of my key goals is to enhance inclusion and ensure equity for migrants.
I would like to thank all of our new citizens for choosing Ireland as their home, and for contributing so much to our nation.
It is an honour to attend today’s ceremony and to welcome our new Irish citizens.
Minister Richmond, ahead of today’s ceremonies, said:
It is a privilege to attend today’s ceremonies and witness this wonderful event.
I know the value that migration has brought to Ireland, the integral role that it plays in the development and sustainability of our economy. We could not fill pivotal roles without this contribution.
I would like to wish all of our new citizens well on this new chapter in their lives.
The Citizenship Division have introduced significant changes to speed up the applications process for applicants, including the introduction of an online digital application, online payments, and eVetting.
Over the last 2 years the Citizenship Division has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year to processing over 20,000 applications in 2023. Already in 2024 nearly 16,000 decisions have been made in the first half of the year.
Last year, Citizenship Division more than doubled the number of ceremonies available to applicants with 15 held over the course of the year. This was a significant increase on 6 Citizenship Ceremonies held in 2022.
Including today, 16 September, the total number of Ceremonies held so far this year is 17, surpassing the number of ceremonies hosted in 2023. Further Ceremonies are being planned for later in the year.
The new Irish citizens will undertake to faithfully observe the laws of the State and to respect its democratic values.
New Irish citizens are contributing to a diverse and inclusive workforce, bringing a range of skills and talents that enhance the overall capabilities of the labour market and economy.
ENDS…///
Additional information:
Citizenship ceremonies were first introduced in 2011 in order to mark the occasion of the granting of citizenship in a dignified and solemn manner. Since Citizenship Ceremonies were first introduced, there has been a total of 190 Ceremonies (inclusive) with people from over 180 countries receiving their certificates of naturalisation.
To date approximately 180,000 people have received Irish citizenship since 2011.
The figure of 180,000 includes indicated attendees today & applicants who received citizenship via the Declaration process introduced in response to the COVID pandemic, as well as minors who are not required to attend a Ceremony.
| Year | Ceremonies | Attended |
| 2011 | 28 | 4,847 |
| 2012 | 35 | 19,539 |
| 2013 | 18 | 17,854 |
| 2014 | 18 | 14,939 |
| 2015 | 16 | 11,002 |
| 2016 | 9 | 7,935 |
| 2017 | 7 | 6,789 |
| 2018 | 7 | 6,973 |
| 2019 | 7 | 4,959 |
| 2020 | 7 | 5,082 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 6 | 4,335 |
| 2023 | 15 | 13,272 |
| 2024* | 14 | 11,407 |
| Total | 187 | 128,933 |
..........
| Order | Top 10 Nationalities | # Applicants |
| 1 | India | 502 |
| 2 | United Kingdom | 338 |
| 3 | Brazil | 293 |
| 4 | Poland | 210 |
| 5 | Romania | 210 |
| 6 | Nigeria | 160 |
| 7 | Philippines | 142 |
| 8 | China (Including Hong Kong) | 141 |
| 9 | South Africa | 100 |
| 10 | United States Of America | 94 |
..........
| County | # Applicants | |
| 1 | Co. Antrim | 40 |
| 2 | Co. Armagh | 8 |
| 3 | Co. Carlow | 28 |
| 4 | Co. Cavan | 32 |
| 5 | Co. Clare | 55 |
| 6 | Co. Cork | 333 |
| 7 | Co. Derry | 14 |
| 8 | Co. Donegal | 49 |
| 9 | Co. Down | 21 |
| 10 | Co. Dublin | 1554 |
| 11 | Co. Fermanagh | 2 |
| 12 | Co. Galway | 151 |
| 13 | Co. Kerry | 76 |
| 14 | Co. Kildare | 207 |
| 15 | Co. Kilkenny | 27 |
| 16 | Co. Laois | 48 |
| 17 | Co. Leitrim | 9 |
| 18 | Co. Limerick | 122 |
| 19 | Co. Longford | 29 |
| 20 | Co. Louth | 116 |
| 21 | Co. Mayo | 41 |
| 22 | Co. Meath | 172 |
| 23 | Co. Monaghan | 22 |
| 24 | Co. Offaly | 28 |
| 25 | Co. Roscommon | 31 |
| 26 | Co. Sligo | 30 |
| 27 | Co. Tipperary | 53 |
| 28 | Co. Tyrone | 9 |
| 29 | Co. Waterford | 78 |
| 30 | Co. Westmeath | 51 |
| 31 | Co. Wexford | 60 |
| 32 | Co. Wicklow | 89 |
- based on total number of invitees. Where applicants have answered not attending, further invitations have issued.