A number of Donegal residents were granted Irish citizenship at ceremonies in Killarney over the last two days.
There were among 6,000 who attended the event in the Kerry town.
Immaculate Sijabulile Ndlovu (main pic) from Letterkenny and originally from South Africa, who is studying Hospitality Management, attended along with her mum Alleta Ndhlovu at the Citizenship Ceremonies in the INEC, Killarney.
Other Donegal residents included Rachit Gaur (below), from India, who works in cyber security in Letterkenny and Jessica Cunningham and Rachel Alqmu from Donegal.
Rachit Gaur from India, and working in cyber security in Letterkenny, at the second day of the Irish Citizenship Ceremonies in the INEC, Killarney. Pic: Don MacMonagle.
Jessica Cunningham and Rachel ALQMU FROM DONEGAL at the Citizenship Ceremonies in the INEC, Killarney. Photo: Don MacMonagle.
More than 30,000 people received their decision, the most in a single year since records began. This is an increase of 20,000 on last year and nearly double the number of decisions made in 2022.
Seven ceremonies were held at the INEC Killarney yesterday and today for applicants hailing from more than 140 different countries and living in all 32 counties.
Each ceremony sees applicants take an oath of fidelity to the nation. They then receive a certificate of naturalisation in the weeks following the ceremony.
“I would like to congratulate all of our newest Irish citizens, as well as their family and friends joining them on this special day,” Justice Minister Helen McEntee said ahead of the ceremonies.
“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 best represented country in this round of ceremonies was India with 1,147 applicants followed by the UK with 636. Brazil, Romania and Poland make up the rest of the top five.
Nigeria, the Philippines, South Africa, China (including Hong Kong) and the US round out the top 10 of applicants by nationality.
