The Next Passport
Descent Path · Great-GrandparentIrish Citizenship Through Your Great-Grandparent
This page is informational, not legal advice. It describes Irish citizenship law in general terms, citing publicly available legislation and government sources. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed Irish immigration solicitor.
Last verified: September 6, 2026 · Maintained by The Next Passport (Warner Creates LLC).
Who this route is for, in the Department's words
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says: "The Foreign Births Register is for persons who can apply to become Irish citizens through their Irish-born grandparents or their parent who was an Irish citizen at the time of their birth, but was not born in Ireland."
For a reader whose parent is an Irish citizen, it says: "People with a grandparent born outside Ireland, but with a parent who is an Irish citizen. If your parent became an Irish citizen through Foreign Birth Registration or Naturalisation prior to your birth and you were born outside Ireland, you can apply for Foreign Birth Registration."
Not sure which describes your family? Take the free eligibility check.
Check your family's details
The free eligibility check asks where each generation was born, whether anyone was registered on the Foreign Births Register, and whether an ancestor was working abroad in the Irish public service.
Check your eligibility →Documents you'll need
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade lists the documents for each type of applicant on its Foreign Birth Registration page; for a parent registered on the Foreign Births Register, the list is headed “Adult applicant whose parent is an Irish citizen through entry on the Foreign Births Register”.
Have an Irish-born grandparent instead?
The grandparent path is far more common.
See: Through Your Grandparent →Ready to map out your specific application?
Start your free eligibility check →Not legal advice. This page describes Irish citizenship law in general terms based on publicly available legislation and government sources. Irish law can change and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade interpretations vary. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed Irish immigration solicitor. As of .