How Many Generations Are Allowed for Irish Citizenship by Descent?

Ireland’s descent rules are generous but clearly defined. The country allows citizenship to extend through certain generations — but with limits designed to ensure a direct, traceable link to Ireland.

1. Unlimited First Generation

Anyone with an Irish-born mother or father is automatically an Irish citizen.

2. Second Generation (Grandparents)

If you have a grandparent born in Ireland, you qualify through the Foreign Births Register.

You must register before having children yourself for the citizenship chain to continue.

3. Third Generation (Great-Grandparents)

Great-grandparents do not directly qualify you.

However:

You may be eligible if your parent registered with the FBR before your birth.

This is known as “continuing the chain.”

4. Fourth Generation and Beyond

Citizenship by descent does not extend beyond third generation unless:

• The intermediate ancestors were registered with FBR before births

• The chain of citizenship was maintained

5. Key Rule: Registration Must Happen Before Birth

This is the most important detail.

If the link is not registered before the next generation’s birth, the chain breaks.

6. Summary

• Parents → yes

• Grandparents → yes

• Great-grandparents → no (exception: if middle generation registered early)

• Beyond → not eligible

Bottom Line

Irish citizenship by descent covers parents and grandparents, with limited exceptions for great-grandparents through maintained registration chains.

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