Irish citizenship applications from Australia surged 46% in 2025, reaching 18,542, according to the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs. This continues a trend since the UK's Brexit referendum in 2016, as Australians with Irish ancestry seek EU passports for travel and work rights.
For Queensland father Bryan O'Mahony, securing Irish citizenship for his daughters Harper and Isla was about heritage and ease of travel. 'It was very much about heritage, as well as the benefits of ease of travel, but particularly I got it for them for the future,' he told the ABC.
Ireland allows citizenship by descent for those with a grandparent born in Ireland. The surge is part of a broader global increase, with Ireland issuing over 100,000 passports to Australians since 2016. The trend is expected to continue as EU membership offers advantages post-Brexit.
