Irish Passports ?

[mikey4444]

Both my paternal grandparents were born, in what is now Northern Ireland.

Does anybody know for sure if that would entitle me to apply for Irish citizenship, and consequently an Irish passport ?

[ummmm]

NI is part of the UK. I thought you said your dad was Irish?

[mikey4444]

No...Irish by nature but British by birth Ummm.

But that is not my question. As I understand it, rules on Irish citizenship lies with grandparents.

[ummmm]

Yes but your grand parents are from NI not Eire...

[waterboatman]

I don't think so mikey. The Irish Republic is another country. Although the relationship between the two is very friendly.

[ducksie]

Before it was the Northern Ireland of today it was still under British rule, you're not Irish

[anneasquith]

Sorry Mikey, you're still British .

[mikey4444]

I heard the Irish ambassador to the USA being interviewed on the Today Programme this morning and he made the point that if you had at least one grandparent born in Ireland, you are entitled to claim Irish citizenship.

I have no desire to change my own nationality, but I just wanted to unravel this quandary.

I have just found this link, and it appears to say that I might be entitled under its Foreign Births Register.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/irish_citizenship/irish_citizenship_through_birth_or_descent.html

[ummmm]

But they weren't born in Ireland, they were born in the UK.

[douglas9401]

Here's a t'ought fer ye, ask the Oirish embassy.

[waterboatman]

You can but ask mikey. If a grandparent was born in the Irish Republic, then yes, but if they were born in the six counties of Northern Ireland then probably not.

[mikey4444]

Ummm...when my grandparents were born, Eire didn't exist.

But I think I will let this be Boaty....I am quite happy being British !

[waterboatman]

Probably for the best mate. It's a complicated situation.

[ducksie]

I said that to you earlier, before 1922 we were under British rule, citizens of NI are the British and have British passports, not Irish

[ducksie]

You definitely would Clarion

[waterboatman]

That's correct 10 cs.

[mikey4444]

10C...I have quite a few people over the years, that have used an Irish Passport when travelling, when the neutrality of Eire is helpful.

[slaney]

If your grandparents were born on the island of Ireland - it doesn't matter whether north or south - you may be entitled to an Irish passport.
Link here...
http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/citizenship-by-birth-descent

[vulcan42]

I think you can, in your link mikey, if you tab down to the table, they are referring to the Island of Ireland.

[mikey4444]

Slaney....thanks...it appears to show that I am :::

"most likely entitled to Irish citizenship"

The wording is quite clear....because one of your parents was born on the island of Ireland. Which is the case with my late Dad.

"Island of Ireland" is the killer phrase here !

But I think I will stay with my British Passport. It runs out in 2020 and at this stage, I have no intention of renewing it.

An Irish Passport might have been useful in my youth, when I was a big traveller but now now. If and when Cornwall puts ups Custom sheds, its probably best to remain where I am !