337 applications for Irish citizenship were granted from Co Meath since 2011
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Akrita Brady, with her husband Kevin, from India and working in Drogheda. Photos: Don MacMonagle/Dept of Justice DON MACMONAGLEImage 2 of 4
Luiz Castelhano, Camila Gabriela and Nathan Gabriekl from Brazil living in Duleek. DONMACMACMONAGLEImage 3 of 4
Omolola Ajimobi from Navan, at the second day of Citizenship Ceremonies. DON MACMONAGLEImage 4 of 4
Ludymila Serique Da Silva and Riciane Silva from Brazil and working in Navan. DONMACMACMONAGLESome 337 applications for Irish citizenship were granted from County Meath since the Department of Justice introduced citizenship ceremonies in 2011. This year saw a record number of people take the final steps towards receiving their Irish citizenship, with over 30,000 decisions made in 2024. This is a significant increase on the 20,000 decisions made in 2023 and is nearly double the number of decisions made in 2022.
Over 6,000 new Irish citizens were granted citizenship in seven ceremonies being held at the INEC Killarney this month, with applicants from 140 countries around the world, and living in 32 counties on the island of Ireland, being conferred as citizens.
Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee said: “I congratulate all of our newest Irish citizens, as well as their family and friends joining them on this special day. I encourage our new citizens to continue to contribute to building inclusive communities. In forging connections between our cultures, we can enrich our social fabric.
Our new citizens play an essential role fuelling growth in our economy. They also contribute immensely to industries where we have labour shortages like construction, agriculture and healthcare. They also make our workforce more diverse and inclusive.”
The presiding officers at the ceremonies were retired Justice Paddy McMahon, who sat in the Meath district, and retired President of the High Court, Mary Irvine, who administered the Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the State. The new Irish citizens will undertake to faithfully observe the laws of the State and to respect its democratic values.
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 have been 197 ceremonies with people from over 180 countries receiving their certificates of naturalisation. Over 191,000 people have received Irish citizenship since 2011.