NEW YORK BOSTON |#Popular: Irish Celebrity Gossip Irish in US Politics Irish Festivals Irish Roots Irish Entertainment Offbeat Irish

Home Page > News > Irish certificates of heritage to be to rolled out in October

Irish certificates of heritage to be to rolled out in October

Certs available to millions who claim Irish heritage abroad

ANTOINETTE KELLY,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Friday, July 15, 2011, 7:09 AM

Updated Friday, July 15, 2011, 7:09 AM

Larger Text

E-mail

18 Comments

Certificates of Irish will be available in October

Photo by Duncan P Walker

The Irish government has confirmed it will finally introduce a new “Certificate of Irish Heritage” for the diaspora in October.

The certificate will be available to people with Irish heritage around the world, who do not qualify for Irish citizenship.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore said in a statement said the certificates will “give official recognition to the many people worldwide who are conscious of their Irish heritage and feel a strong affinity for Ireland.

_______________

Irish heritage certificates announced by government

_______________

“I believe that the scheme will provide a practical demonstration of the inclusive approach adopted by successive Governments to our diaspora.”

“It will not, however, confer any citizenship or other legal rights or entitlements to the successful applicants,” he added.

Applicants will be required to submit details of their ancestral connections along with the relevant documentation.

“It is expected that the scheme will be operational by October,” the Minister added.

Irish company FEXCO based in Kerry has been awarded the rights to produce and market the certificate.

Labour TD Gerald Nash welcomed the move, stating the programme was “an appropriate and meaningful way” to recognise those who are not Irish citizens, “yet have a wish to have their Irish connections and heritage acknowledged by the State.” He stated that he expects “significant economic, social and cultural benefits will accrue” from the certificates.

Nster.com

E-mail

18 Comments

See all comments

ceceann | Sep 20, 2011, 01:18 PM EDT

“It is expected that the scheme will be operational by October,” the Minister added. Harmless enough. No worse than the fools who shell out good money for their family's coat of arms or other such nonsense but if you want the smart money better add a carrot, at least. The other comments have some good ideas. Offering tourism discounts along with the certificate may increase sales of both travel and the piece of paper.

Report abuse

Irishlassred | Jul 16, 2011, 08:24 PM EDT

I think I've posted this 100 times, so I'll do it one more time: this IS a cool thing. There are lots of us, me included, that qualify for Irish citizenship straight up. BUT!! to have dual citizenship may compromise security clearances, for instance, in the case of my son and SIL. This is a neat compromise. I know I'm Irish, anyone that looks at me can see the map of Ireland all over my face. That's not the point. The point is to have a connection to my ancestors; especially since they were kicked out of Ireland during the famine with only their shirts on their backs. To belong to something is important. I'm an American of Irish descent, I come from a long line of proud military servicemen and still I've been waiting to hear when this certificate would become available. It is a connection to my past - will it buy me a beer cheaper in Ireland? NO!! Will the money it costs to be produced the land of my all my grandparents? Maybe. If you don't like the idea, feck it and move on.

Report abuse

Realist | Jul 16, 2011, 01:38 AM EDT

Dear oh dear. I thought junk bond status was bad but the Irish seem to have found a new low. Sad, embarrassing, light-weight, attention-seeking, not-worth-the-paper-it’s-written-on rubbish. Irish certificates or Irish Central? You decide….lol.

Report abuse

Searlit | Jul 15, 2011, 10:02 PM EDT

No, no, and no!

Report abuse

JBRAFTREE | Jul 15, 2011, 07:49 PM EDT

Careful Antoman, you're describing my wife.

Report abuse

CitizenWhy | Jul 15, 2011, 07:05 PM EDT

Why not put leprechauns on them, dancing gaily. Why not sell them in pubs. ... You do realize that people will be buying them for their dogs?

Report abuse

Tropiholic | Jul 15, 2011, 04:07 PM EDT

I think it's an excellent way for the Irish Government to raise much needed revenue.Will anyone be forced to purchase it?

Report abuse

Springfield9 | Jul 15, 2011, 02:53 PM EDT

WTF?????? I have my grandfather's Blackthorn in the corner and my grandmother's collection of (seemingly) 520 rosaries. My other Grandfather was invited to leave Ireland during the Irish Civil War - I don't need a certificate. If Ireland has an obsession on this just submit a 37 marker DNA test - easier and it tells the entire tale.

Report abuse

oldboreen | Jul 15, 2011, 02:18 PM EDT

This 'Certificate of Irishness' has got to be the biggest scam of the decade!!! It's worthless in Ireland! For over 40 years,I have held a full Irish Passport which clearly states that I'm Irish citizen entitled to Irish Consular services anywhere in the world etc. Yet, because I do not possess an Irish accent, I am not regarded as an Irish national when visiting my parent's homeland. The point of this?? Think about it! Don't waste your money!

Report abuse

antoman | Jul 15, 2011, 01:48 PM EDT

@Searlit-Do you have short blonde hair,a beer belly and hairy legs?

Report abuse

joan1954 | Jul 15, 2011, 12:57 PM EDT

I would be proud to own this certificate. My family has been proud of the Irish blood that flows through us and I would frame it. My mom's only surviving brother could get an Irish passport through his Irish-born grandmother but the rest of us would find this interesting. I am proud that I am American-Irish.

Report abuse

Searlit | Jul 15, 2011, 12:11 PM EDT

@ :)

Report abuse

Searlit | Jul 15, 2011, 12:10 PM EDT

A antoman, I'd send you mine when I get it, except I don't think you would pass for a woman.

Report abuse

LoyalCitizen | Jul 15, 2011, 11:38 AM EDT

@joycean: Maybe a 1000 might be more appropriate. The reason being nobody actually knows the true level of debt Irish Politicians have put us in, social or financial.

Report abuse

joycean | Jul 15, 2011, 10:14 AM EDT

Loyal Citizen, I think you fail to see the beauty of this scheme. Ireland claims to have 70million diaspora, only 2 million of which qualify for citzenship under Ireland's rather lax standards, but any who are generations removed, married to someone Irish, or once had a dream they are Irish could qualify for these. Charge say $100 each and pay off the national debt.

Report abuse