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RTÉ News
2 days ago
- RTÉ News
Exhibition explores 100 years of the Irish passport
A new exhibition has opened at the Irish Emigration Museum to mark the centenary of the Irish passport. The exhibition, called 'On the Move', tells the stories of the country's "most travelled document". EPIC historian Dr Catherine Healy said the establishment of the passport was an important moment for Irish sovereignty, "showing a commitment to engage with the world as an independent nation". Dr Healy said that the museum wanted to ask questions such as "what does the passport tell us about Ireland's relationship with the wider world," and it also wanted to explore its role in the lives of people who have used it. EPIC asked the public for any stories they had about their family's passports and many of those stories are on display in the exhibition. "We know what the passport means to Irish people at home and abroad," Dr Healy said. "We wanted to feature tales of migration, the diasporic connection and also capture some of the human stories too," she added. Liz Cassidy responded to the request and explained that her grandparents used their Free State passports to go on their honeymoon in Algiers in the 1920s. Her grandfather, Thomas Healy, born in 1895 and died in 1957, was issued with a document which identifies it as a passport from Saorstát Éireann. "It was a proud day when he received it because he had fought for freedom from British rule, with the Irish volunteers during the War of Independence," Ms Cassidy said. "My grandfather was one of Michael Collins' trusted intelligence officers in west Cork," she said. Thomas Healy retired from the army in early 1923 and returned to his family law practice in Skibereen. "His passport tells the story that has filled the gaps in our family history," Ms Cassidy said. He renewed his passport in 1926, and under the "observations" section, a note indicates his intentions for "travelling to Algiers". He and his new wife, her grandmother Helen Grennan, born in 1897 and died in 1973, were planning their "exotic honeymoon in north Africa". Also featured in the exhibition is former Leitrim hurler Zak Moradi. He received his first Irish passport at the age of 30. His family came to Ireland as political programme refugees in 2002. "I am from Kurdistan and was born in a refugee camp in Iraq," Mr Moradi said. "I got into hurling in 6th class, and though hurling is a kind of difficult game to play, I liked the challenge," he said. Mr Moradi went on to describe the process of obtaining an Irish passport and said "it took a bit of time to apply to become an Irish citizen, because I didn't have a birth cert". It is not an easy process, he added, but "when you get it, it's worth it". Mr Moradi said that the passport gives him "an identity and tells where I belong". "I'm still learning that I can travel and learn all these new things because of it," he said. "I never thought when I was in the refugee camp that this would happen for me, but within 20 years, your life can change completely," Mr Moradi added. The exhibition runs for the summer at EPIC.
Irish Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
The Irish passport: Launched 100 years ago and now among most valued worldwide
A new exhibition at the Irish Emigration Museum has chronicled the turbulent 100-year history of the Irish passport. The study, called A Century of the Irish Passport, delves into the rich past of the national document over the last 101 years and explores its history, identity, and significance. It opens on Thursday, May 1, and highlights layers of Ireland's evolving nationhood from even before the first passports were issued in April 1924 after the bloody Civil War. Tánaiste Simon Harris praised the exhibition and described the Irish passport as crucial to the country's 'identity, our freedom, and our connections to the world'. The Irish Emigration Museum, known as EPIC, said the exhibition represents a spotlight on much more than a travel pass, saying the 'passport is much more than a document'. A spokesperson for EPIC said: 'This exhibition marks 100 years of the Irish passport, exploring its fascinating history, role in shaping Irish identity, and significance in global affairs. "Curated in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and supported by the Emigrant Support Programme, the exhibition draws on a rich collection of archival records, historical materials, and public contributions. It highlights the evolution of the Irish passport - from a marker of independence to its impact on migration, diplomacy, and social change.' EPIC chief Aileesh Carew said: 'The Irish passport is much more than a document - it's a symbol of connection, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the Irish people. As we mark 100 years of the passport, we're excited to showcase not only its rich history but also the personal stories of millions who have journeyed across the globe. This exhibition is a celebration of those who have carried the Irish passport with pride and the remarkable impact they've had on the world.' In March 2025, EPIC and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade launched a public callout for personal stories to be featured in the exhibition, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response. Contributions have ranged from heartwarming anecdotes about emigration to memories of receiving an Irish passport for the first time. These stories, alongside original historical records and archival footage, will showcase how the Irish passport has impacted lives and connected people globally. It includes stories about Irish people, like the grandparents of Abigail O'Reilly. They met as Irish immigrants in the 1950s in London, where they worked together on bus routes, Bill as a driver and Jean as a conductor. Abigail moved to Dublin in 2020 to pursue a postgraduate degree and has remained here since. She said: 'I feel proud to have been able to return to a country which my grandparents were not able to remain in. I feel all the more connected to them for it.' Visitors will be invited to explore key themes such as what passports reveal about Ireland's journey to independence and its relationship with the wider world, plus the role of the Irish passport in times of war, social change, and global mobility. Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris TD said: 'Our passport is a source of great pride for our citizens, it represents our identity, our freedom, and our connections to the world. This exhibition is a wonderful celebration of 100 years of the Irish Passport and its impact on the lives of Irish people at home and abroad. I am especially delighted to see submissions from citizens who have shared their significant and historic family passport stories, which highlight the experiences that make the Irish passport so special.' EPIC's historian-in-residence Catherine Healy said: 'The issuing of the first Irish passport marked an important moment in the history of Ireland. A symbol of Irish identity, it provided clear evidence of a commitment to engage with the world as an independent nation. "Irish passports have since facilitated millions of journeys across the world, whether for work, love or intellectual freedom. The issuing of a passport could represent the start of a difficult departure from home, but for millions with Irish heritage it could also be a powerful reminder of family connection.' Award-winning museum EPIC was opened in 2016 by former President Mary Robinson to honour the Irish diaspora abroad and recognise the vital contributions and monumental impact Irish people have made worldwide. The museum, which was named as Europe's leading tourist attraction at the World Travel Awards three years in a row from 2019, tells the moving and unforgettable stories of those who left the island of Ireland, and how they influenced and shaped the world. Its latest exhibition – full title On the Move: A Century of the Irish Passport - runs from today, May 1 until September at the Irish Emigration Museum. More information is available from EPIC's website.
