IRELAND GAINED 2,700 NEW citizens, from 120 countries, today.

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan spoke at one of several citizenship ceremonies held at the Convention Centre in Dublin today.

He told those present: “The decision to apply to become an Irish citizen is one, I know, that you did not take lightly. It is also a major event for us as the host nation in bestowing this honour on you.”

Today is a major event in your life and is one which opens up many possibilities to you. Perhaps one day, you or a child or grandchild of yours, could stand here as Minister for Justice, or, indeed, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, or as Judge, or perhaps the President of Ireland. One way or another, all this future potential derives from you becoming a citizen of our country today.

Here are some photos from today’s ceremonies: