Maritimers reclaiming Irish roots as citizenship applications soar

A growing number of Canadians are claiming their Irish heritage. In fact, applications for Irish citizenships are up nearly 50 per cent.

Irish roots run deep in the Maritimes; they have for nearly two centuries.

“I’m very proud to be both Canadian and Irish,” says Brian Doherty, the Irish Honorary Consul to Canada.

A company called ‘Irish by Descent’ helps people pursue their birthright citizenship. Last year, they saw more than 2,000 Canadians file applications, which translates into nearly a 50 per cent increase.

“It’s remarkable really, the increase in people seeking to become Irish citizens, and the foreign birth registration is the first step towards citizenship. You get that, and you can apply directly for an Irish passport,” Doherty says.

He mentions being a citizen of Ireland has benefits that reach throughout the European Union.

“If they can get a passport for Ireland, you have access to any of the European Union countries as basically a citizen of them as well.”

Searches for citizenship information could continue to grow. 2027 will be the 180th anniversary of Irish immigration into Canada to escape the potato famine.

“Next year is a big year. They’ve created a big initiative to celebrate culture and festivals that promote Irish and Canadian culture,” says the president of the Miramichi Irish Festival, Jeff Flanagan.

The Miramichi event is one of the largest in the country. The New Brunswick Community is known as the Irish Capital of Canada.

“It’s obviously a festival to bring people together and it celebrates the culture of the rich Irish roots that came to Canada,” Flanagan says.

Doherty sees the increase in birthright citizenship as a benefit to Ireland.

“Ireland gets huge economic gain from the diaspora because not only do they come as tourist to Ireland but then they also come to maybe live in Ireland.

That opens the door for the opportunity to celebrate both cultures that have had close ties for nearly two centuries.

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