Irish Americans can now celebrate their ancestors with their own Certificate of Irish Heritage. The Certificate is a Government of Ireland programme providing official recognition to people of Irish ancestry across the world.
Now, for the first time, there are family discounts available on multiple purchases of the Certificates of Irish Heritage.
The certificate is considered the perfect gift for special family occasions such as christenings, First Communions, birthdays, weddings or retirements. Five certificates now cost just $210 including shipping to the US. This is a saving of over 40 percent on a single certificate which costs $74 including shipping.
The certificate honors those ancestors who sacrificed so much by leaving Ireland and who created opportunities for later generations. Up to 40 million Americans, 35 million with Irish ancestry and five million with Northern Irish roots are eligible to apply.
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Last September, the Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eamon Gilmore T.D, presented the first Certificate of Irish Heritage to the family of Joe Hunter, a New York fireman, who lost his life in the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre.
Speaking at the presentation, Eamon Gilmore said, “engagement with the global Irish community is central to government policy and we are encouraging and facilitating people in giving expression to their Irish ancestry. The Certificate of Irish Heritage will allow us to maintain these strong ties now and in the future”
Each Certificate has a Harp, the official State symbol of Ireland, and is signed on behalf of the Government of Ireland by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamonn Gilmore. There is also a quote from Article 2 of Bunreacht na hÉireann (the Constitution of Ireland), recognizing the special affinity Ireland has with the people of Irish ancestry abroad.
Each Certificate is unique and includes the name of the applicant, and the names of up to two ancestors including their county and year of birth. Applicants can choose from three beautifully designed certificates depicting an emigrant ship, a Celtic knot, or a west of Ireland scene. The Certificates are available in English, Irish, or Spanish and they can be bought framed or unframed.
See www.heritagecertificate.ie for details to-day.
Here’s a video giving an introduction to the certificates:
15 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.ciaradexy | Feb 21, 2012, 11:51 AM EST
Georgie, on my passport my place of birth IS in Ireland so I don't need one of these but any foreigner who is dumb enough to pay for one of these deserves incorrect spelling!
ciaradexy | Feb 21, 2012, 11:44 AM EST
Springfield, so a DNA test yeah? Say you find theres celtic and viking DNA there. That doesnt make you Irish you fool! IrelandNorth, Irish people abroad cant vote in Irish elections so why the hell should some yank with an Irish great Granny be allowed vote in an election in a country they werent born in, educated in, havent worked in or contributed to? Dont be ridiculous! I dont want some Americans vote to influence the country my family and I have lived all our lives in. We have enough non Irish here without Americans taking over! American culture needs to stay away as the world is more at risk from it that terrorism!
IrelandNorth | Feb 20, 2012, 06:47 AM EST
Anyone who claims Irish ancestry should be given the right to vote in Irish elections, as well as entitlement to an Irish passport, which would also confer the right to live, work, and travel freely between any jurisdictions. Why should the troika own Ireland, when few of them have any Irish heritage whatsoever.
Springfield9 | Feb 17, 2012, 08:14 PM EST
As Irish Law stands, the child of Osama Bin Laden and Irena Nevesky can apply for Irish citizenship if any one of the 4 Grandparents had Irish Citizenship. It's a perfect example of 19th Century thinking at work today. What SHOULD be done is prove that 3/4 Grandparents were of Irish Heritage and a 37 Marker DNA Test. The DNA test will put the pin in the map for you. Moreover, any applicant would bear the entire cost of the recognition. It's a bit like the Israeli right of return. P.S. I have 111 Irish DNA markers and it doesn't mean a thing - like the certidicate.
JBRAFTREE | Feb 17, 2012, 05:12 PM EST
Good o Seamus!!!
SeamusMartin | Feb 17, 2012, 02:52 PM EST
The Irish Government could make more money by allowing citizenship to those of great grand parents born in Ireland. As far as the certificate goes, I'll stick to me Family Crest, me black thorn walking stick and a plethora of Irish plethora of Irish Whiskeys.
Murph46 | Feb 17, 2012, 01:15 PM EST
These are the same people who bought a real star and named it!
kerryman201 | Feb 17, 2012, 12:50 PM EST
Some people are EXTREMELY proud of their Irish roots, and this is a lovely token of that pride
HelenMac | Feb 17, 2012, 12:33 PM EST
I think it's a great gift idea for the older generation - I'm getting one for my aunt who is very proud of her Clare roots. What else do you get the woman who has everything!?
James O'Shea | Feb 17, 2012, 12:30 PM EST
Purchased heritage certificate for my aunt, 78, it meant the world to her, especially the imprimatur from the irish government acknowledging her roots
KittyMurphy | Feb 17, 2012, 12:29 PM EST
I have to say I bought my great aunt a certificate for her birthday and she was absolutely delighted. I think it's a great idea for a gift. What a lovely thing to be able to hang on the wall.
JBRAFTREE | Feb 17, 2012, 11:17 AM EST
Eveybody's lookin' for a buck or euro, A good way to make a few for Ireland from us the US. I won't be getting one, I know where the hell my people came from. Good for plastic paddies though.
oldboreen | Feb 17, 2012, 10:03 AM EST
Frankly IC, I'm surprised you are still featuring this rip off!
Murph46 | Feb 17, 2012, 09:29 AM EST
Oh Boy I'll just run right out and get twenty!Does it say special discount if you act today,separate shipping and handling!What a rip off!
GeorgeDillon | Feb 17, 2012, 07:27 AM EST
These things aren't worth the parchment they're printed on. I heard the certificate even has a misspelling. I guess our resident clown poster curdexter drafted it!