Y Delyn Aur is a Welsh-language account narrating the experience of Malachy Owain Edwards, who lost his Welsh European citizenship after applying for Irish citizenship by descent.

Our UK Country Manager, Dom Barnes, has also embraced his Irish heritage. In this interview, we explore why obtaining Irish citizenship by descent in 2024 is an opportunity worth considering.

1) How did you acquire Irish citizenship, Dom?

““Well, my mother is Irish. If either you or your parents were born on the island of Ireland before 2005, you automatically qualify as an Irish citizen, giving you access to the much-sought-after Irish passport.”

“You can also apply for citizenship through a great-grandparent born on the island of Ireland. However, for this route, your parent must have registered their foreign birth (linking them to their grandparent), meaning they were an Irish citizen at the time of your birth.”

“The most common path is registering your foreign birth through the Foreign Births Register (FBR), based on a grandparent born in Ireland.”

2) What is your earliest memory of visiting Ireland?

“I attended a cousin’s wedding in Donegal during my teens, and the experience was eye-opening. The Irish are among the most enthusiastic party-goers in Europe. With so many cousins living in Ireland, I’ve returned many times for similar celebrations.”

“My most recent visit was in 2023, when I traveled to Derry, my ancestral home, for my grandmother’s 90th birthday. She attributes her long life to hearty servings of Irish stew and soda bread.”

3) What advice would you offer to someone applying for Irish citizenship by descent?

“My advice is to gather all the required documents meticulously, according to the checklist, and submit them all together, rather than in pieces, which can cause delays. We’ve seen processing times for foreign births registered with the FBR exceed 24 months.”

4) How has having an Irish passport changed your life?

“The passport has been a game-changer. In May 2024, I traveled to Lisbon for a stag party with some friends. Thanks to the Irish passport, I breezed through the EU electronic gates, leaving my British friends stuck in the long queues behind me.”

“Irish citizenship is incredibly empowering. Post-Brexit, I don’t feel confined by the limitations of being tied to a single country and government. I’m planning to retire somewhere in Europe, and this citizenship makes it possible.”

5) What’s the first thing a new Irish citizen should do upon arriving in Ireland?

“Head straight to the Reel Inn in Donegal town, order a pint of Guinness (sip it in no more than five gulps), and join in the singing and dancing. ‘The atmosphere will be electric.’

“After that, have another pint, maybe two. And before you leave, your final drink—your ‘going-away whiskey’—should be a single malt. That’s how to make your first night in Ireland unforgettable.”

How to Apply for Irish Citizenship by Descent in 2024

Are you ready to follow in the joyful footsteps of Malachy Owain Edwards, Dom Barnes, and countless others? The specialists at Future Citizen Bureau, experts in Irish citizenship by descent, are here to provide expert guidance.

Don’t wait—contact us today for personalized assistance on your journey to Irish citizenship.