It's a proud day for 3,500 new Irish citizens who were confirmed in three naturalization ceremonies in County Kerry today. 

In the first large-scale citizenship ceremonies to be held outside of Dublin, 3,500 people became naturalized Irish citizens today in three ceremonies in Killarney, County Kerry. 

Ireland's newest citizens come from 120 countries, with the largest contingents coming from Poland (683), Romania (388) and the UK (338).

Read More: How to get an Irish passport 

Sobbing watching the news - 3,500 people from 120 countries became Irish citizens today at a ceremony in Killarney. So gorge hearing how much they love Ireland and all their hopes for the future here ❤️❤️❤️❤️

— Holly x (@hollyshortall) May 21, 2018

In order to become an Irish citizen through naturalization, according to CitizensInformation.ie, you must: 

  • Be 18 years or older (you must be married if you are under the age of 18) or,
  • Be a minor born in the State (from 1 January 2005) and
  • Be of good character - the Garda Síochána (Ireland's national police) will be asked to provide a report about your background. Any criminal record or ongoing proceedings will be taken into consideration by the Minister for Justice and Equality in deciding whether or not to grant naturalisation. Details of any proceedings, criminal or civil, in the State or elsewhere, should be disclosed in the application form, and
  • Have had a period of 365 days* (1 year) continuous reckonable residence in the State immediately before the date of your application for naturalisation and, during the 8 years preceding that, have had a total reckonable residence in the State amounting to 1,460 days* (4 years). Altogether you must have 5 years (5 x 365 days*) reckonable residence out of the last 9 years - see ‘calculating reckonable residence’ below, and
  • Intend in good faith to continue to reside in the State after naturalisation and
  • Make a declaration of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State, and undertake to observe the laws of the State and respect its democratic values (see below for the point in the process at which this is required).

Read More: What you should know about applying for Irish citizenship 

Ireland has held citizenship ceremonies since 2011, granting citizenship to 119,000 people from 181 different countries since then. 

Minister @CharlieFlanagan with Department staff at today's Citizenship Ceremony in the Convention Centre Killarney where 3,500 people from over 120 countries are receiving their Irish citizenship pic.twitter.com/6Hba4k84UG

— DepartmentofJustice (@DeptJusticeIRL) May 21, 2018

Ireland's Minister for Justice Charlies Flanagan told the new citizens: 

“On becoming Irish citizens you will have the same rights, the same duties and the same responsibilities as every other Irish citizen.

“We ask you, as we ask all our citizens, to participate actively in our communities, to be good citizens and to uphold the law.

“The possibilities opened up to you in Ireland today are almost limitless; perhaps one day you, or a child or grandchild of yours could be up here as Minister for Justice, or as Judge, or perhaps the President of Ireland.”

Read More: Employment and health benefits for US citizens moving to Ireland

However, as Journal.ie reports, they will not be permitted to vote in Ireland's abortion referendum this Friday, May 25.