Proud to be an Irish American

Our President officially announced last week the launch of Irish-American Heritage Month, 2013, what better time to share with you a bit about my latest journey in diving deeper into my Irish Heritage.

This past summer I made a trip to the Irish Consulate in San Francisco and began my process of attaining dual citizenship for myself, my sister and my father.

My children will also be “grandfathered” into citizenship when I obtain my own.  It could take up to 2 years.

In obtaining dual citizenship, there is an in-depth process.  Passport photos signed by attorneys, original documents relating to Irish Born Grandparent such as state certified long form birth certificates, civil marriage certificates, notarized death certificates, and several application forms and fees.

It is a lot of work, but it is worth it.  If you are unable to locate these certificates, don’t get discouraged.  Church certified baptism and marriage certificates may be considered and birth records in Ireland have been maintained since 1864.

The best place to start is to click on this Guide to Applying for Irish Citizenship through Descent.

In time, I want my children to know what it means to be Irish and how through their great- grandfathers struggles, they are privileged to be Americans.  My grandfather never gave up on one of this country’s oldest ideas: that anyone from anywhere can write the next great chapter in the American story.  That familiar story has been lived and cherished by Americans from all backgrounds, and it reaffirms our identity as a Nation of immigrants from all around the world.  As we celebrate Irish-American Heritage Month, I hope to spend time speaking with family and hearing about my grandfather and his stories of sweat and striving.

America and Ireland always continue to move forward together in common purpose, I plan to carry this tradition on for many years.

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