Irish rugby player Bundee Aki is among 3,600 people who have become citizens of Ireland at ceremonies taking place in Dublin's Convention Centre.
The 34-year-old New Zealand native has lived in the country for ten years and now joins people from almost 150 countries who have officially chosen Ireland as their home.
Three ceremonies have been taking place in Dublin's Convention Centre, following follows 14 similar citizenship ceremonies held so far this year.
The new Irish citizens undertake to faithfully observe the laws of the State and to respect its democratic values.
Mr Aki, who has received 57 caps for Ireland, described becoming an Irish citizen as a privilege and an honour.
"To be granted citizenship is not something you take lightly," he said.
"I know a few of the lads will be saying 'I don't know how you are getting a citizenship'
"I love the people here. Every time my family and I go away, and we come back to Ireland we feel so glad to be home."
Mr Aki joins over 13,000 people who have become Irish citizens so far this year, with more ceremonies planned for 2024.
This compares to six ceremonies held in 2022, due to a speeding up of processing applications in the Citizenship Division.
Over the last two years, the Citizenship Division has increased the number of applications being processed from around 12,000 per year to processing over 20,000 applications in 2023.
This is due to the introduction of significant changes to speed up the applications process for applicants, including the introduction of an online digital application, online payments, and eVetting, the Citizenship Division said.
Since citizenship ceremonies were first introduced in 2011, 190 ceremonies have taken place with people from over 180 countries receiving their certificates of naturalisation.
To date, around 180,000 people have received Irish citizenship since 2011.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee thanked the new citizens for choosing Ireland as their home.
"You will always have a home here," she said.
"Ireland is a place where you are accepted, where you are valued and cherished, where you will be safe and loved."
Among those receiving their citizenship was Galina Volovich and her husband Eldar, who are originally from Israel.
"We love it, we have our family here now," Eldar said, as his wife added that she even loves the Irish weather.
Anne Cunanan, who is originally from the Philippines said: "To me, this [ceremony] is just a formality, because from the first day I have felt hugely welcomed by the people."
