IRELAND’S NEW PASSPORT highlights the country’s landscapes, wildlife and culture through artwork – with the Irish wolfhound featuring prominently on the “cutting-edge” document.

Foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee has unveiled the newly designed passport, which the Department of Foreign Affairs described as “one of the world’s most advanced travel documents”.

The Irish passport, which gives citizens visa-free access to 186 countries, was last majorly redesigned in 2013. The new passport is available from today and includes several security features never used in any passport before.

Over 15,000 people took part in a survey to help decide which designs would feature on the new passport and the wolfhound came out on top as one of the public’s favourites.

McEntee said the new passport “ensures Ireland remains at the forefront of identity security for years to come”.

“It combines some of the world’s most advanced security technology with a design that proudly reflects who we are as a nation, our heritage, creativity and natural beauty,” she said.

“This passport showcases the innovation, expertise and artistic excellence that exists in Ireland today. Together with Irish companies and artists, we have created a travel document that is both technically outstanding and unmistakably Irish.”