CLOSE on 8,000 people are expected to attend high-profile citizenship ceremonies in the Killarney Convention Centre on Monday with almost 3,000 people due to be made Irish citizens in three separate ceremonies.
This will be the second time that large-scale citizenship events have been held outside of Dublin and people from 10 different countries will be conferred on the day.
They will include 586 natives of Poland, 312 from the UK, 280 from Romania, 214 from India, 175 from Nigeria, 118 from the Philippines, 115 from Pakistan, 113 from Lativa, 90 from Brazil and 84 from China and Hong Kong.
The presiding officers on the day will be retired High Court judge Bryan MacMahon and retired District Court judge Paddy McMahon.
The Minister of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, and Minister of State, David Stanton, have confirmed their attendance.
Gardai in Killarney have advised the public, including those attending the ceremonies, that there are likely to be considerable traffic delays in the town and on the approach roads.
“Residents are advised to allow extra time for journeys in and around Killarney, in particular on the Muckross Road on Monday, Residents of Mill Road are advised to expect an increase in traffic flow as recipients exit the INEC from 11.45am,” said Sgt Dermot O’Connell.
Three ceremonies will take place over the course of the day, at 11.15am, 1.40pm and 4.00pm. Complimentary shuttle buses will operate from the bus and train stations and from Scott Street, all commencing at 8am.
Hotel, guesthouse and B+B operators are asked to advise their guests to use the shuttlebuses, as parking in the vicinity of the INEC, the Gleneagle Hotel and the Brehon Hotel will be limited.
Citizenship ceremonies were first introduced in 2011 in order to mark the occasion of the granting of citizenship in a dignified and solemn manner. A total of 135 ceremonies have been held at which a total of almost 90,000 applicants received their certificates of naturalisation.
Including minors, who are not required to attend a ceremony, up to the end of 2018 the total granted Irish citizenship will be just under 120,000. In total, nationals of 181 different countries have become Irish citizens since 2011.
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