The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, TD, will host a very special virtual celebration event this evening to welcome 1,800 people who recently received their Irish citizenship. The event will be the third virtual event to welcome new citizens following the success of the previous events in April and July.
Speaking in advance of the event, Minister McEntee said,
“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed so much about how we live our lives but our sense of kinship, community and belonging is stronger than ever before. I am honoured to welcome so many people who have chosen to make Ireland their home. By sharing their own unique cultures and traditions with us, our newest citizens have become part of our communities and we are all the richer for it.”
“While participants have already received their naturalisation certificates in recent weeks, this virtual event gives us an opportunity to celebrate this momentous occasion together.”
“We are livestreaming the event and we are asking people to use the hashtag #IrishCitizen2021 to share your support and good wishes for your fellow Irish citizens.”
Ireland’s newest citizens received their certificates of naturalisation as part of a temporary system which enables applicants to sign a statutory declaration of loyalty to the State. Since the temporary statutory declaration process opened over 7,400 people have received their certificates of naturalisation.
The event will be broadcast live from EPIC – the Irish Emigration Museum, and Minister McEntee reflected on the natural affinity that Irish people have for people who leave their homeland in search of opportunities
“Throughout our history, Irish people have left these shores to make their homes elsewhere and because of that we have a deep and meaningful understanding of what it means to belong somewhere. Becoming an Irish citizen is a moment to cherish, both for our new citizens themselves and also for their families and friends.”
“We are privileged to live in a country that people adopt as their chosen home. The richness of our nation is not measured in our wealth, but in our people. Our newest citizens are now part of what makes us uniquely Irish.”
The celebration event will include wonderful contributions from some of our new Irish citizens. Retired High Court Judge, Mr Justice Bryan McMahon (who normally presides over the citizenship ceremonies), is also participating in the event.
The event will be live streamed from the EPIC Irish Emigration Museum at 7:00pm on the Department’s social media channels – YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. People can use the hashtag #IrishCitizen2021 to share their support for Ireland’s new citizens.
