The Path to an Irish Passport
February 5, 2024
Contemplating getting an Irish passport but uncertain about eligibility?
Find out more on the Department of Foreign Affairs website
You must be an Irish citizen to acquire an Irish passport.
One can gain citizenship through birth, descent, or naturalisation.
This section will provide an outline based on birth and naturalisation, as it can be confusing.
Eligibility criteria:
- If you were born in Northern Ireland before the 1 st of January 2005, you are entitled
to claim Irish citizenship and can therefore apply for an Irish passport
- If you were born in Ireland after the 1 st of January 2005, your entitlement is
dependent on the nationality and residence history of your parents
- Nationality: if your parents were Irish or UK citizens at birth you can choose to be an
Irish citizen
- Residence History: one of your parents must have lived in Ireland or Northern
Ireland for 3 out of the 4 years before you were born or have the right to live in
Ireland or Northern Ireland without any restriction on their period of residence
- If you were born outside of Ireland to an Irish born parent, you are automatically
entitled to an Irish citizen by birth
- If you were born outside of Ireland to a parent who was an Irish citizen or would
have been entitled to become an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, you are
entitled to become an Irish citizen
- If you have an Irish-born grandparent who was an Irish citizen at the time of your
birth you entitles to become an Irish citizen
When applying for your Irish Passport, you will need your birth certificates and if claiming
through descent, your parent or grandparent’s birth certificate.
What are the benefits of having an Irish passport?
- As an Irish citizen, you are no longer tied down to visa restrictions that dictate
how to live, work, study, and travel
- You can buy a property, knowing you have a right to reside indefinitely. You can
apply for jobs, knowing that you don’t have to worry about a visa expiring. You
can travel across the Emerald Isle as you please.
- Irish citizens also have the right to reside in the UK.
- This agreement, known as the Common Travel Area, happened before the UK’s
entry into the European Union, so the agreement continues post-Brexit.
- Since Ireland is a member of the European Union, Irish citizens have the
freedom to live, work, study, and travel in other EU member states without
visas or restrictions
Once you have got your hands on that red passport again and the excitement of free
movement kicks in, why not plan a trip to where it all started? Whether you hop on a ferry
or catch a quick flight, head over to the Emerald Isle and soak in the heritage that granted
you this freedom. Explore the scenic beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way or dive into the vibrant atmosphere of Cork. Your passport doesn’t just have to be for travel; it can be an opportunity to connect with your roots.
Ag Tosnú 18ú Mean Fómhair @ 6:00 i.n. - 07:30 i.n. agus ag leanúint ar aghaidh gach Déardaoin go dtí am Nollag. Course commences on Thursday 18 September 2025. 12 x classes every Thursday evening. Classes will be classroom based, in-person (except for the occasional class on Zoom when circumstances make it difficult for the class to meet in-person, such as adverse weather) Please note that due to other events, there will not be a classroom based in-person class on Thursday 16 th and 23 rd October 2025. The teacher will discuss alternative arrangements during the course with students (which may include taking a break, changing to another evening, or proceeding on Zoom) and will take on board student preferences. Post Beginners Oiriúnacht (Suitability) Anybody who has completed a comprehensive Beginners’ Course (of around six months) or anybody with a previous knowledge (e.g. having learned Irish at school) and who is returning after a break. Fáinne Airgid The group will prepare for this, with the option to do the exam late Spring / early Summer 2026. For those students who do not wish to do the exam, they will still benefit greatly from the preparation work. We will integrate the prep work into the normal classes for everybody, with a greater emphasis on the Fáinne Airgid during the Spring course commencing in 2026. The teacher will discuss and explain this in more detail to the class in September 2025. Leabhair (Books) Must Have - Irish for Beginners (Usborne) agus Briathra na Gaeilge - Regular and Irregular Verbs (Folens) Nice to Have - Buntús Cainte Part 1. Registering for this course: Please see a member of staff in the office, or contact by email: cis@covirishsoc.org.uk or telephone 024 7625 6629 to complete registration. Registration closes 11 September 2025. Total Course Fee £80 per student for members of the Coventry Irish Society / £85 per student for non-members. The course fee is for a course consisting of 12x classes and is payable in advance to the Coventry Irish Society by 11 December 2025. Entry on to the course is only permitted once payment has been made in full. If there are any difficulties with paying the full fee in advance, then please discuss with a member of staff before registration closes on 11 September. The course fee is non-refundable.
We are delighted to announce our new Ciorcal Comhrá (conversation circle) for advanced Irish speakers. Join us on the first Wednesday of the month from 11am-12noon for a relaxed and informal conversation circle - an opportunity for conversation and craic with fellow Gaeilgeoirs. Saor in aisce | Free and drop-in. No booking required! Upcoming sessions: First Wednesday of the month 11.00 am – 12.00 noon Dé Céadaoin 3 Meán Fómhair Wednesday 3 September 2025 Dé Céadaoin 8 Deireadh Fómhair Wednesday 8 October 2025 Dé Céadaoin 5 Samhain Wednesday 5 November 2025 Dé Céadaoin 3 Nollaig Wednesday 3 December 2025 Áit - The Coventry Irish Society, 2nd Floor, Eaton House Eaton Road, Coventry CV1 2FJ Any questions, please contact: cis@covirishsoc.org.uk
Our annual ball is back for 2025! We’re thrilled to announce that our Annual Ball 2025 will be held on Saturday 27 September at Christ The King Parish Centre Join us for an unforgettable evening of celebration, music, & dancing Tickets priced at £30. To book your place, please call in to our office at Eaton House, or telephone us on 024 7625 6629
