According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 31 million Americans claim Irish ancestry. They make up a large proportion of the growing number of U.S. citizens contemplating a move to the Emerald Isle.
The American dream of Ireland conjures images of thatched-roofed cottages, low stone walls, rich green pastures dotted with white sheep, and cozy pubs with roaring open fires. Indeed, that was the Ireland my family and I made the move to back in 1998.
We spent seven years there, growing our family, building a business, and renovating a country home. As a result of our time there, my husband, son, and I now hold Irish passports. I look back on our time there with a lot of affection. I even wrote a book about it. We return often and I still dream of owning a home there again one day.
Life in Ireland has much to recommend it. The people are welcoming, friendly, and always ready to help. I love the architecture, especially the Georgian-style doorways you find in the heart of Dublin city. The there’s the rolling green countryside awash with castles, churches, and gardens, all of which provide the opportunity to learn more about Ireland’s rich history.
It also makes a great home base for travel across Europe with low cost carriers connecting you with cities across the continent quickly and affordably.
Of course, nowhere is without its challenges and the climate in Ireland can be a downside for many. Personally, I didn’t mind the chilly temperatures, but I struggled with the lack of sunshine. Fall and winter there is wet, cold, and windy—and the same can sometimes apply to spring and summer. But the pay-off for all that rain is the lush countryside I appreciate so much.
The other factor that can be a dealbreaker for those looking to retire in Ireland is the cost. You will need to show that you have an annual income of 50,000 euros (around $54,000) per applicant. You will also need to show that you have access to a lump sum of money to cover any sudden major expenses. This lump sum needs to cover the cost of a home in Ireland—and the average house price there for 2024 is 340,000 euros (around $365,000).
Naturally, Irish (and U.K.) citizens can enter Ireland and live there without any such financial requirements so, if you are one of the 31 million Americans with Irish ancestry then obtaining citizenship through descent may be an option.
Ireland recognizes her far-flung sons and daughters with one of the best ancestral citizenship programs around. If any of your parents or grandparents were born in Ireland then you’re entitled to Irish citizenship and an EU passport.
You can check your eligibility and apply at the Register of Foreign Births. You may also be eligible through your great-grandparents, but only if one of your parents became an Irish citizen-by-descent before your birth.
For those who qualify, citizenship through ancestry is the easiest, quickest, and cheapest route to a new life in Ireland.