Citizenship ceremonies were first introduced in 2011 by then minister for justice Alan Shatter to mark the solemnity and dignity of the occasion.
Our pictures show some of the 5,200 people who were granted citizenship over two days at the events centre at the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney earlier this month.
Software engineer Varun Menon agreed he had his priorities right: he was becoming a citizen of Cork and joked he felt more Cork than Irish.
Arriving from Mumbai in 2017 to study for his master’s in computer science, Varun, like many Indians who became Irish citizens in Killarney, is from Kerala in southern India.
People born in India were the single largest group taking Irish citizenship this December.
Terin Thomas, originally from India, and who lives in Drogheda, Co Louth, following the citizenship ceremony in Killarney 
Katya Gubanova, born in Russia, and living in Dublin, gets a hug from her daughter Ella (7) 
Tobi Akinmuda, born in Nigeria and living in Portlaoise, congratulated by her husband, Opeyemi Alaka, and baby, Ayomide 
Alan Duffy congratulates his wife, Kimberly Duffy, who was born in the US 
Varghese Olangattu-Poulose, born in India, who lives in Mayo with his wife, Anumol, and daughter, Celine (5) 
Neenu Baby and Priyannkaa Jose, both born in India and living in Galway 
Chatting following citizenship ceremony 
Albin Scaria, born in India and living in Leopardstown, and Paulo Soares, Brazil 
Citizenship ceremony in Killarney 
The citizenship ceremony in Killarney
US-born Kirsten Fossum came to Galway a decade ago to do her PhD in atmosphere physics – and stayed. Now working in the Mace Head Atmospheric Research Station in Co Galway, Kirsten had no regrets about swapping the blue skies of Los Angeles for the grey and the rain – a yellow warning was in place for much of the morning in Kerry.
She was accompanied by her partner, Galway man Sam Keady, who works with Galway County Council. The pair met nine years ago. Fossum said becoming an Irish citizen undoubtedly would make life easier as she travels a lot to Europe in the course of her work.
“Plus, I love Ireland,” she said.
Galway is “a really special place. We can build a life now and not worry,” Fossum said.