Things that make you go .....Hmmm, that's interesting.

[armaghniac]

Are these all New Passporta or are renewals included in that figure.

It obviously includes renewals, over 90000 in Dublin in 6 months. Given that most passports are 10 years then that would imply most people in Dublin having one, which sounds about right.

Dublin would include Irish abroad renewing.

Does it? It would be a poor presentation of statistics to do this.

[Pub Bore]

Figures from the Department of Foreign Affairs showed over half a million Irish passports were issued in the first half of 2026.

On the island of Ireland, 367,471 passports were issued in total.

Over 50,000 passports were issued in the six counties of Northern Ireland, of which Antrim, on 17,986, saw the third-highest figure across all 32 counties.

Elsewhere in Northern Ireland, 13,004 passports were issued in Down, 8,019 in Derry, 5,769 in Tyrone, 5,021 in Armagh and 1,935 in Fermanagh.

The county with the most passports distributed between January and June was Dublin on 93,223, followed by Cork on 35,257.

Other counties with over 10,000 passports issued included Kildare at 17,571, Galway, 16,543, Meath, 14,774, Limerick, 12,524, and Wicklow, 10,736.

 

So who got the other 150,000? It seems to be easy to pick up an Irish passport these days.

Some of these would be Irish citizens who live abroad (like my kids), their children...Brexit paddies etc.  Not all spurious.

[gallsman]

It seems to be easy to pick up an Irish passport these days.

I can tell you from experience it's not. Some people I've engaged with in the passport office over the last few years couldn't walk and chew gum at the same time.

[seafoid]

Loads of people living abroad have kids with Irish passports

For continentals an Irish passport for achild is good for access to England for work and the US. Irish passports are very popular abroad  and they are class with the Gaeilge and the art.

[Blowitupref]

Interesting no 9ft hill 16 Perspex screen in Croke Park tonight for the Man United v Leeds United challenge game.

 
Why do we still need it for GAA games?

[marty34]

Interesting no 9ft hill 16 Perspex screen in Croke Park tonight for the Man United v Leeds United challenge game.

 
Why do we still need it for GAA games?

Strange indeed. Although I always thought it was a safety issue having that screen up.


How much would the GAA for that game tonight?

[Tubberman]

Interesting no 9ft hill 16 Perspex screen in Croke Park tonight for the Man United v Leeds United challenge game.

 
Why do we still need it for GAA games?

Strange indeed. Although thought it wasa safety issue having that screen up.


How much would the GAA for that game tonight?

Surely there'd be expense in taking it down, so why do so?
Maybe some crowd safety regulation about not hemming crowds in like Hillsborough

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

I thought it arrived at the time they were putting an end to supporters going on to the pitch.

[Mourne Red]

I thought it arrived at the time they were putting an end to supporters going on to the pitch.

Could have used them tonight