More than 3,800 new citizens were sworn in at four ceremonies in the Convention Centre in Dublin today. Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald told the new citizens how very welcome they were and acknowledged their "enormous contribution" to Irish society. "Thank you for wanting to be part of our country," she said.
Along with their families and friends from 123 countries around the world, the people filled the Convention Centre on North Wall Quay.
Men and women queued at booths on the ground floor to receive citizenship packs before taking their seats in the main auditorim on the third floor, their families seated in the tiers above their heads.
The packs contained certificates of naturalisation, the citizen's declaration of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State, the words in both English and Irish of Amhrán na bhFiann and a pin of the Irish flag.
Waiting for her husband to collect his pack, Eble Ike, originally from Africa, said it was a big day for her family. Ms Ike, who has four children and has been here 11 years, is an Irish citizen. She was waiting for her husband to become one too. “It’s a step forward,” she said.
Husband and wife Julius and Crina Muresan, originally from Romania, have been living here for 14 years and applied for citizenship six months ago. “Our daughter was born here and we are well settled here. We decided it’s time we should be 100 per cent here,” they said.
Ankhbayar Bayanjarjan and his wife Anarzaya felt the same. Originally from Mongolia, their two children were born in Ireland. “They have Irish passports and they want to stay here,” the couple said.
In the auditorium, the No 2 Army Band played Galway Bay and themes from the movies while the candidates took their seats. Then an Army colour party lead by Lt Adam Doyle marched out on stage with the Irish flag.
President of the District Court Judge Rosemary Horgan, as presiding officer, told the candidates what a privilege it was for her to take part in the ceremony. "All citizens are equal under our Constitution and from now on you share in all of those rights and protections that this State confers upon us," she said.
Standing, the candidates repeated the declaration of fidelity after the judge. “Congratulations, you are now citizens of Ireland,” Judge Horgan said. The auditorium erupted in cheers, whistles and clapping.
Renate Henschke, originally from Adelaide in Australia, hugged her friend Nicky Lianos and showed off the Irish flag in her lapel. She described the ceremony as wonderful.
“It was really kind, the way Frances Fitzgerald said thank you,” she said.
She had come full circle, she said, as her great-great-grandmother was from Ballyvaughan.
