OVER 3,000 people from over 120 countries have been naturalised as Irish citizens at three ceremonies held in Ireland.
Since citizenship ceremonies were first introduced in 2011, 124 ceremonies have been held for 76,000 adults wanting to become Irish citzens.
Including children, the total rises to 100,000.
Eligibility for Irish citizenship by naturalisation is determined by being over 18, meeting the conditions of residence and having an intention to continue living in the State.
You must also be of good character and willing to attend the ceremony of citizenship, where candidates make a declaration of fidelity to the nation of Ireland and a loyalty to the State of Ireland.
Three citizenship ceremonies took place last Friday in Dublin.
The most nationalities naturalised since 2016 include Polish, Indian, Nigerian, Romanian, Filipino, Pakistani, Latvian, Brazilian, Chinese and American.
In total, people of 178 different countries have become Irish citizens since 2011.
Speaking to Ryan Tubridy on RTÉ's The Late Late Show, Aksana Sidarchuk from Belarus explained how she first came to Ireland aged nine.
"I first came here when I was nine years old with the Chernobyl children's group. I came into an Irish family in Two Mile Borris in Thurles, Co. Tipperary," she siad.
"I was a little bit unwell at the time and I spent a few days in Limerick Hospital and Mary and Eddie Clancy were very generous over the years.
"They brought me back every summer for treatments and now I've been in Ireland since I was 19."
Speaking of her new citizenship, Ms Sidarchuk added: "It was the proudest day of my life, honestly.
"I actually cried when I had to declare my fidelity and loyalty to the nation.
"If I - touch wood - die in Ireland, don't fundraise money, I'll be happy to be buried on Irish soil, wrap this flag around me, I'm home!" she said.
Lola Ayetigbo said her new citizenship made her think of her son Shetemi, who had dreams of his life in Ireland. (Picture: RTÉ/YouTube)Lola Ayetigbo, who also gained her citizenship last week said the ceremony made her think of the late teenage son, Shetemi, who died of sudden adult death syndrome.
"I came here because of my children, and Shetemi had a vision of what he wanted to be in this country," she said.
"He is a very Irish man - it's very hard for me to say was," she added.
"Shetemi was a very good, brilliant footballer. He loved the sport so much, all my boys love football.
He was playing one day, and he just collapsed and died," she said. "He was sixteen when he passed away."
Ms Ayetigbo said when her son passed, her community in north Dublin rallied around their family.
"He was loved by so many people, and he cared for people. When Shetemi passed away, my community in Donabate gathered around us and even now, they still support us," she added.
See more of Ireland's newest citizens in the gallery below...
