‘Here is home for me’: Newly conferred citizens on what being Irish means to them

The couple have a deep connection to the place where they fell in love 11 years ago.

“We met at a common friend’s party in Dublin and got along. We liked each other immediately and have been together since,” Ms Yadav, who is originally from Nepal, said.

“People often ask us what we miss about home but honestly, here is home for me.

“I’d say the community and the very welcoming culture here makes it feel like home.”

The couple, who live in Dublin, looked well in matching dusty-pink outfits. Mr Barwisal, who is originally from India, had an Irish flag pinned on his lapel.

“We feel excited and nervous. This is something we’ve wanted to happen for so long. I mean, it’s a dream come true, so it was important for us to look good for it,” he said.

Asked about what this moment means to the two of them, they exchanged knowing glances.

“I’m a bit blank when it comes to speaking about this. I don’t really know how to express it because it’s so important to me,” said Mr Barwisal.

“It took nearly two years to complete this process, so we’re excited for what comes next.”

While there was no mandatory colour code for the ceremony in Dublin, countless attendees donned the colours of the nation they are eager to call home.

As the doors to the auditorium opened, the Convention Centre was awash with green. Surrounded by their loved ones, newly conferred Irish citizens proceeded into the foyer beaming with pride.

Among them were husband and wife Adam Ishag and Estimate Numed. They came to Ireland from Sudan 15 years ago and never looked back.

“We feel very close to [Irish people] because they know what it’s like to have suffered a lot in the past,” said Mr Ishag. “They know what it means to have people help them in times of need.”

They live in Dublin and have two children and are expecting a third. Both agree that Irish people are open-minded and welcoming.

The sentiment is shared by Ahmed Mansur, a doctor based in Drogheda who first arrived in Ireland from Libya in 2017.

“Even before I arrived, I knew of Irish kindness and community spirit,” said Dr Mansur, a father of five. “But when I came here, I found it was even stronger than I thought. I’ve been to many places around the world where people are kind, but here it’s unique.”

Before the ceremony, he looked back at his journey since his arrival seven years ago.

“The stress [of the ceremony] has subsided a while ago, especially since I got my residency permit. It gave me more stability,” he said.

“My kids are stable and well in school, and my career has also become more stable. When you’re moving to a new place, it takes some time to get settled in.”

More than 5,400 people from 143 countries were conferred with citizenship across six ceremonies at the Convention Centre on Thursday and yesterday, with Taoiseach Simon Harris and Justice Minister Helen McEntee attending.

Ms McEntee said of the country’s new citizens: “We really acknowledge the fact that they have chosen Ireland as their home, but also the contribution that they have made and they will make with their families. We’re truly grateful for that.”