Around 2,400 people have been conferred with Irish citizenship at ceremonies in Killarney, Co Kerry, today.

They are from 90 countries across the world and received certificates of naturalisation at three ceremonies presided over by retired High Court Judge Bryan McMahon and retired District Court Judge Paddy McMahon.

Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan also attended. Mr Flanagan told the country's new citizens that today they "take an oath of fidelity to our nation and loyalty to our State".

He also said that Ireland is a place "of diversity and openness".

Minister Flanagan also highlighted the Government's Migration Integration Strategy which he said, "is aimed not just at all new comers to our shores but also at our own citizens with the primary objective of ensuring that barriers to full participation in Irish society are identified and addressed and that the basic values of Irish society are respected by all".

Administering the Oath of Fidelity and Loyalty former High Court Judge Brian McMahon told the gathering that Ireland's newest citizens should never forget where they came from, or erase memories - that these will part of their grandchildren's legacy too.

He also urged the new citizens to vote in the upcoming referendum and elections.

Candidates for citizenship will be entitled to vote in the referendum if they are over 18 and they apply to be included in a supplemental register by 7 May.

Since the introduction in 2011 of ceremonies to confer citizenship on large numbers of applicants, 120,000 people from 180 countries have been granted certificates of naturalisation.

The National Events Centre at the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney was chosen as the venue for the citizenship ceremonies.

Today's ceremonies bring the total number of ceremonies held in the last eight years to 141.

The top five nationalities for today's citizenship ceremonies are Poland (406), UK (309), Romania (218), India (186) and Nigeria (99).

Additional reporting Jennie O'Sullivan