More than 5,000 to become Irish citizens at Killarney ceremonies

More than 5,200 people will make the Declaration of Fidelity and Loyalty to the State at six ceremonies over two days in Killarney, a milestone the Department of Justice says highlights a rapid rise in naturalisation numbers in recent years. 

The events at the INEC will see applicants from more than 132 countries and all 32 counties on the island officially become Irish citizens, with Judge Paddy McMahon presiding and Minister of State Colm Brophy in attendance alongside Ministers Niall Collins and Jerry Buttimer. The Department notes that invitations were issued to approximately 5,200 candidates for the ceremonies on December 1st and 2nd.

Officials say the Citizenship Division has scaled up in a short time from processing about 12,000 applications a year to over 30,000 decisions as of 2024, with the average processing time falling from 15 months in 2023 to around eight months in 2024 after introducing online applications, online payments and eVetting.

Minister of State Brophy congratulated the new citizens and urged them to keep links with their countries of origin while building new ties in Ireland.

He said “I am delighted to welcome our newest Irish citizens. Migration has long been woven into the fabric of Ireland’s story with 70 million people worldwide claiming a link to Irish descent. Irish people that left here over the centuries strengthened and enriched the communities that they settled in.

"I encourage each of our new citizens to not lose the link to their home countries but also to continue to build connections and contribute to Ireland, the place they now call home.

"My heartfelt congratulations go to all of today’s newest citizens, and to the families and friends who have supported them on this important journey.”

Minister of State Collins added, “Those who are becoming Irish citizens during these ceremonies are joining a modern Ireland that values diversity, inclusion, and shared opportunity.

"Citizenship represents both a welcome and a responsibility - a shared trust in the future we are building together. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in which our newest citizens will play an active role in shaping Ireland’s tomorrow."

The invited cohort reflects a diverse mix of nationalities, with the largest groups coming from India, Brazil, and Romania, and significant numbers listed from the United Kingdom, Poland, and the Philippines. For many attendees, the ceremony will be the end of a lengthy administrative process and the start of a new civic chapter.