Clare residents celebrate first Christmas as Irish citizens

OVER 6,000 people living in Ireland have been granted Irish citizenship in ceremonies.

In six separate ceremonies at the Convention Centre in the capital on December 18 and 19, applicants from over 131 countries have received their certificates of naturalisation, and taken an oath of fidelity to the Irish State.

Of the 6,206 people receiving their citizenship, 71 are from county Clare.

Speaking at Monday's ceremonies, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said; "Attending citizenship ceremonies is always a unique privilege as Minister for Justice and I would like to warmly congratulate and welcome our newest citizens on this milestone day in their lives."

Ireland's new citizens hail from over 131 countries around the world, with India, Brazil and the Philippines as the top three countries for applicants.

Irish and Leinster scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park is also among the new citizens sworn in.

The 31-year-old was born in New Zealand and moved to Ireland to play for Leinster in 2016.

"Today marks the end of one journey and the beginning of an exciting new one," continued Minister McEntee.

"Our new citizens enrich Ireland with their presence and our society reaps the benefits which they bring."

These Citizenship Ceremonies follow ceremonies held in the RDS in March, Killarney in July and the Convention Centre in October, meaning over 18,000 people have now been conferred with citizenship in 2023.