According to RTÉ News, November 2024 saw an unprecedented rise in Irish passport applications from the United States, with 3,692 submissions - the highest number recorded in a single month over the past decade. Throughout the year, a total of 31,825 Irish passport applications were made by US residents, marking a 9.7% increase from 2023. A total of 11,601 registrations were recorded, up from 7,726 in 2023, making up 27% of all registrations worldwide.

This significant surge in interest coincided with the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Google searches for phrases like "Irish passport" and "Irish citizenship" skyrocketed on 6 November, the day after Americans voted, indicating a growing willingness among some US citizens to look into other nationality possibilities.

Irish citizenship, which can be obtained by birth, descent, or Foreign Birth Registration, is a prerequisite for obtaining an Irish passport. Those born to Irish parents in Ireland are immediately eligible. However, if one of their parents was an Irish citizen at the time of their birth, or if they have an Irish-born grandfather, someone born outside of Ireland may claim citizenship. In these situations, they have to register with the Foreign Births Register prior to submitting a passport application. Once registered, individuals are officially recognised as Irish citizens and can apply for an Irish passport

As suggested by RTÉ News, even though some people may want an extra passport for pragmatic reasons, including making travel inside the EU easier, others see it as a means of reclaiming their Irish ancestry. A broader trend is also reflected in the increase in applications, as some individuals are pursuing dual citizenship as a result of geopolitical concerns and concerns about the political stability of the US.

Therefore, the demand for Irish passports is anticipated to continue to rise in the upcoming years due to Ireland's solid international standing, entry into the EU, and cultural ties to millions of Americans.