Travel news

Thursday, 23 July 2026

Bryan O'Mahony got Irish passports for his daughters to travel easily in Europe.

In short:

Many Australians want Irish citizenship, with applications more than doubling since 2022.

Experts say people want Irish citizenship to live, work, and study in the European Union.

Wait times for citizenship are now 12 months.

Bryan O'Mahony got Irish passports for his daughters to give them more options.

He said it was about heritage and easy travel, and to give them many future opportunities.

The family has traveled to over 30 countries using their Irish passports.

Bryan O'Mahony said the freedom to move, study, and work in Europe was a big reason to apply.

The O'Mahony family has traveled to many countries with their Irish passports.

Many Australians are applying for Irish citizenship, with numbers more than doubling in three years.

Between 2022 and 2025, applications for Irish citizenship by descent jumped 133 percent.

Over 1,880 Australians applied for Irish citizenship through the Foreign Births Register in 2025.

Almost 800 Australians applied through the scheme by the end of May this year.

Registering a birth is the first step to getting an Irish passport, which is very powerful.

Irish passports allow visa-free travel to 186 destinations and the right to live, work, and study in the EU.

People on social media like the benefits of Irish passports, calling them a 'fairy gold dust passport'.

New UK border rules caused confusion among Australians with dual citizenship.

A company that helps people with citizenship applications said many people, not just Australians, are applying for Irish citizenship.

The appeal of Irish citizenship

A citizenship law expert said people apply for a second citizenship for family connections and practical reasons.

Having EU citizenship gives freedom to travel, work, and study in Europe.

However, the expert warned that Australians should understand the legal implications of dual citizenship.

Becoming a dual citizen gives the Australian government more power over you.

Australian law allows citizenship to be revoked in some cases, like terrorism-related offenses.

Do you have a story to share?

Dual citizens cannot nominate for federal parliament unless they renounce their foreign citizenship.

The expert thinks there should be more public information about the implications of dual citizenship.

As many opportunities as possible

Over 2.4 million Australians have Irish ancestry, but not all qualify for Irish citizenship.

Generally, people with an Irish-born parent or grandparent can apply for citizenship.

The growing demand has led to longer processing times, now around 12 months.

Last year, Ireland's foreign affairs minister said extra staff were hired to deal with more applications.

The O'Mahony family says their Irish passports make international travel easier.

Bryan O'Mahony's daughter Harper might study at university in Ireland.

The family wants the girls to have many opportunities available to them.

Getting Irish citizenship strengthened the girls' connection to their Irish heritage.

Bryan O'Mahony believes in the benefits of travel and seeing other cultures.

See more ABC coverage

Promotion

Pratique d'écoute