WE MAY be billions in debt and facing into a harsh winter of cutbacks, but broad, sunny smiles beamed all around Cork City Hall yesterday as 635 “New Irish” were more than happy to become citizens.
Organised by the Department of Justice, the ceremony saw new arrivals from 77 countries granted Irish citizenship, while striking an impressive balance – formal and dignified, yet relaxed, warm and welcoming.
Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Tony Fitzgerald was joined by Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney, retired High Court judge Mr Justice Bryan McMahon and Brig Gen Paul Pakenham, GOC 1st Southern Brigade of the Army.
Administering the oath, Mr Justice McMahon said he looked forward to the contributions of those present to Ireland, and the day when their sons would lead out teams at Croke Park or their daughters carry the Irish flag at the Olympics, but he urged them not to forget their heritage.
“The State, in granting you citizenship, does not ask you to surrender your own identity . . . when you make your life here, do not forget the country or the culture you come from, bring your stories, your music, your games – enrich our lives.”
Among those celebrating receiving their Irish citizenship were Ukrainian friends Alla Manylyak from Dublin, who has been living in Ireland for 10 years, and Lyubov Chusak from Cavan, who has been living here for eight years.
“I’m so happy. I’m delighted to get Irish citizenship but I can’t forget my Ukrainian heritage – it might make things tricky if Ireland end up playing Ukraine in next year’s Euro Championships,” said Ms Manylyak.
Equally thrilled was qualified GP Svetlana Sakelova from Minsk in Belarus, who is working as a care assistant in a nursing home at Newcastle West in Co Limerick and has been in Ireland for eight years. “I have tears in my eyes, it’s very special for me because my daughter, Ilona, who is 12, has only been here once on a holiday visa. So I hope now that I got my Irish passport, she will be able to join me. It’s a big day for me,” she said.
Sapna Menon Kinney, who is originally from Kerala in India, travelled with her niece Niamh Burns from her home in Belfast to receive her citizenship, leaving her husband, Paul, at home to mind their three daughter, Tarika (9), Ishika (6) and Noyonika (2).
“It was a wonderful ceremony. I missed the last ceremony in Dublin but I’m so glad I made it here and I’m glad too they actually made a ceremony out of it. It is a big occasion to become a citizen – when you get a passport in through the post, you don’t really appreciate it.”
