Citizenship

Tens of millions of people across the world have Irish heritage and many of them actually qualify for Irish citizenship – even if they have never set foot in Ireland. Many people like to exercise this right in order to feel more closely linked to their heritage.

Top UK comedian Jimmy Carr has spoken about his Irish heritage and how being from an Irish family would sometimes cause problems for him growing up. Carr has been one of the UK’s most successful comedians over the last two decades and his aloof but easy-going style has made him …

Punk icon John Lydon has spoken about how his Irish heritage has influenced his music and why he travels on an Irish passport. The Sex Pistols and PiL frontman was born in Holloway, North London and grew up in Finsbury Park, an area with a large Irish, Pakistani and Jamaican …

American legend Gene Kelly was one of the major stars of the golden age of Hollywood. In 1999, the multi-talented actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, director and producer was named the 15th greatest male screen legend of all time by the American Film Institute.

American actress Olivia Wilde has spoken about her childhood summers in Ireland and her pride in being an Irish citizen. Unusually, she qualified for Irish citizenship, despite not having any Irish blood.

American actor and director Mel Gibson is also an Irish citizen and has even been given the freedom of the town of Trim in Co Meath. Many may associate the star with Scotland after his performance as William Wallace in one of his most famous movies, Braveheart.

With news that American star John C Reilly is to become an Irish citizen, we wondered how many people from overseas dreamed of doing the same.

People who do not have a recent family history of Irish citizenship or a spouse who is an Irish citizen don’t need to lose hope. You can still become an Irish citizen through naturalisation, which is the process whereby a foreign national living in Ireland may apply to become an …

People from overseas who are married to an Irish citizen could be entitled to become an Irish citizen – if they meet certain criteria. They need to apply for citizen ship through naturalisation. It is the same process that any foreign nationals would go through.

Are your parents Irish citizens? If either of your parents was born in Ireland, and is an Irish citizen, you are automatically an Irish citizen – wherever you were born. You can Follow this link to apply for an Irish passport – although having a passport is not a necessary …