It depends on when they were born. Children born after you are on the Foreign Births Register can apply to be registered too, but children born outside Ireland before you were registered are not eligible through your registration.
This part surprises people, so here is how it works.
Watch: Do You Qualify for an Irish Passport?
The video starts at the part that answers this question. For the whole picture, read Irish Passport Through a Grandparent: Do You Qualify?
Subscribe to Love Ireland on YouTube for a new plain-English guide to Ireland every week. The full video is on YouTube: Do You Qualify for an Irish Passport? The Grandparent Rule Explained.
Children born before you registered
If you become an Irish citizen through an Irish-born grandparent, your citizenship does not pass back to children you already have.
In the words of the Department of Foreign Affairs, you were not an Irish citizen at the time of their birth.
Children born after you registered
☘️ Join 64,000+ Ireland Lovers
Every weekday morning, get Ireland’s hidden gems, local secrets, and travel inspiration — the kind you won’t find in any guidebook.
Subscribe free — enter your email:
Already subscribed? Download your free Ireland guide (PDF)
📲 Know someone who’d love this? Share on WhatsApp →
Love more? Join 43,000 Scotland lovers → · Join 29,000 Italy lovers → · Join 7,000 France lovers →
Free forever · Unsubscribe anytime
Children born after you are on the register can apply to be registered too.
They are not added for you. Each child needs their own application, and for a child under 18 the total fee is €153.
If you are expecting a child
Timing matters. To pass citizenship on through your registration, you need to be on the register before the child is born.
- Expectant parents can make an urgent request by phone, with supporting documents.
- The number for urgent requests is +353 1 568 3331.
- The Department says it will make every effort, but it cannot guarantee the entry will be made in time.
Processing is currently taking approximately 12 months, so if children are in your plans, do not leave your own application until later.
The twist that helps some families
Everything above is about parents who register through a grandparent. Some families are in a better position and do not know it.
If it was your parent who was born in Ireland, and was Irish when you were born, you are already a citizen. You did not need to register.
That means your children have a grandparent born in Ireland. So they can use the grandparent rule themselves, whether they are children or adults.
Which case are you?
Your parent was born in Ireland
- You are already a citizen, if your parent was Irish when you were born.
- Your children can apply through their Irish-born grandparent.
Your grandparent was born in Ireland
- You can register.
- Children born after you are registered can apply.
- Children born outside Ireland before you were registered are not eligible through your registration.
A fair warning
If your children are already grown, registering yourself will not make them Irish. It is still worth knowing the rule before you start, so nobody in the family is counting on something that will not happen.
Covering a different route into your family? See the full picture in Irish Citizenship by Descent: Who Qualifies and How to Apply.
General information, not legal advice. Facts checked against official Irish government pages on 6 October 2026.
Official sources
Subscribe to Love Ireland on YouTube for a new plain-English guide to Ireland every week. The full video is on YouTube: Do You Qualify for an Irish Passport? The Grandparent Rule Explained.
Tours & experiences you might love
Powered by Viator. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Secure Your Dream Irish Experience Before It’s Gone!
Planning a trip to Ireland? Don’t let sold-out tours or packed attractions spoil your journey. Iconic experiences like visiting the Cliffs of Moher, exploring the Rock of Cashel, or enjoying a guided walk through Ireland’s ancient past often sell out quickly—especially during peak travel seasons.
Booking in advance guarantees your place and ensures you can fully immerse yourself in the rich culture and breathtaking scenery without stress or disappointment. You’ll also free up time to explore Ireland’s hidden gems and savour those authentic moments that make your trip truly special.
Make the most of your journey—start planning today and secure those must-do experiences before they’re gone!