New data has revealed an unprecedented surge in demand for Irish passports from residents of Great Britain, as the ramifications of Brexit continue to reshape British citizens' relationship with Europe.
The latest figures from Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs show a staggering 30% year-on-year increase in applications from England, Scotland, and Wales. Between April and June of this year, a remarkable 32,492 applications were processed from Great Britain alone.
Northern Ireland Leads the Way
The trend is even more pronounced in Northern Ireland, where the right to Irish citizenship—and by extension, European Union membership—remains a fundamental aspect of the Good Friday Agreement. An overwhelming 121,536 applications originated from the region during the same period.
This brings the total number of Irish passports issued in the first half of the year to a colossal 450,000, putting the national service on track to potentially break last year's record of 633,000.
The Brexit Effect
Analysts are directly linking this surge to the practical consequences of the UK's departure from the European Union. An Irish passport restores the coveted right to live, work, and travel freely across the 27 EU member states—a privilege lost with the blue British passport.
"The benefits of EU membership are now very clear to people in Britain," a spokesperson from the Irish Passport Service noted. "We have seen consistent demand from across the UK since the Brexit referendum result."
The data suggests this isn't a short-term spike but part of a sustained trend, with application numbers remaining significantly elevated since the 2016 vote.
Meeting the Demand
Despite the overwhelming volume, the Irish Passport Service reports processing times are within their target of 10 working days for online renewals and 15 working days for first-time applicants. The service continues to encourage the use of its online application system for faster turnaround.
This phenomenon highlights the profound and lasting impact of Brexit on British identity and mobility, as hundreds of thousands seek to maintain their European ties through a tangible link to Ireland.
