IRELAND GAINED 2,700 NEW citizens, from 120 countries, today.

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan spoke at one of several citizenship ceremonies held at the Convention Centre in Dublin today.

He told those present: “The decision to apply to become an Irish citizen is one, I know, that you did not take lightly. It is also a major event for us as the host nation in bestowing this honour on you.”

Today is a major event in your life and is one which opens up many possibilities to you. Perhaps one day, you or a child or grandchild of yours, could stand here as Minister for Justice, or, indeed, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, or as Judge, or perhaps the President of Ireland.

One way or another, all this future potential derives from you becoming a citizen of our country today.

Here are some photos from today’s ceremonies:

PHOTOS: Meet Ireland's newest citizens

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Zeineb Hartnett from Tunisia, living in Carlow
Source: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland
Sisters Galina (left) and Julia Paulikov from Russia and living is Collon, Co Louth. pictured with their mother Nadia
Source: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland
Mossammat Nadira Begum from Bangladesh and living in Killarney, Co Kerry, with Mohamed Abu Tayus
Source: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland
Fr Paul Girgis (centre) from Egypt and living in Galway
Source: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland
Pawel Zielinski from Poland and Wilfredo Velasco from the Philippines pictured with Garda Paidi Kelly
Source: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland
Julie Pamela Abarzua from Chile and Oladunni Akinbowale from Nigeria pictured with Garda Paidi Kelly
Source: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland
Dr Natasha Slattery, from Canada and living in Limerick, with partner Commandant David Slattery
Source: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland

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All images: Photocall Ireland

Read: ‘Ireland is great … it has never tried to invade or enslave another country’

Photos: Meet some of Ireland’s newest citizens

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PHOTOS: Meet Ireland's newest citizens

Zeineb Hartnett from Tunisia, living in Carlow

Sisters Galina (left) and Julia Paulikov from Russia and living is Collon, Co Louth. pictured with their mother Nadia

Mossammat Nadira Begum from Bangladesh and living in Killarney, Co Kerry, with Mohamed Abu Tayus

Fr Paul Girgis (centre) from Egypt and living in Galway

Pawel Zielinski from Poland and Wilfredo Velasco from the Philippines pictured with Garda Paidi Kelly

Julie Pamela Abarzua from Chile and Oladunni Akinbowale from Nigeria pictured with Garda Paidi Kelly

Dr Natasha Slattery, from Canada and living in Limerick, with partner Commandant David Slattery

Read: ‘Ireland is great … it has never tried to invade or enslave another country’

Photos: Meet some of Ireland’s newest citizens

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.