By Michelle Crean 

A total of 950 people were conferred with Irish citizenship at two separate ceremonies yesterday (Monday) in what was the first in-person ceremony since March 2020.

Adejuwon and Ayobami Drogheda photographed at the citizen awards ceremony in The Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney on Monday. Photo: Sally MacMonagle

Daniela Alas Delgado and Michael Byrne Dublin photographed at the citizen awards ceremony in The Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney on Monday. Photo: Sally MacMonagle

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee photographed with Siphathisiwe Moyo from Galway at the citizenship awards ceremony in The Gleneagle INEC Arena Killarney on Monday. Photo: Sally MacMonagle

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee photographed with Dexter Drake and Airene Ramos from Dublin at the citizenship ceremony in The Gleneagle INEC Arena on Monday. Photo: Sally MacMonagle

Lord David Puttnam CBE British film producer environmentalist and former member of the House of Lords pictured after receiving his Irish Citizenship with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee at the Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney on Monday. Photo: Don MacMonagle

Walid Ahmed from Egypt proudly holding the Irish flag with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee at the Irish Citizenship ceremony in the INEC on Monday. Photo: Don MacMonagle

A total of 950 people were conferred with Irish citizenship at two separate ceremonies at the Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney on Monday presided over by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee retired High Court Judge Bryan MacMahon and retired District Court Judge Paddy McMahon. Photo: Don MacMonagle

Pictured at the Irish citizenship ceremonies in the Gleneagle INEC Arena were: Veronica Manu from Ghana who received her Irish Citizenship with her partner Tommy O Sé from Dingle. Photo: Don MacMonagle

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee photographed with Krishna Rajeesh Dublin at the citizenship ceremony in The Gleneagle INEC Arena Killarney on Monday. Photo: Sally MacMonagle

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee photographed with Buki Precious Ojo Mary Oseh Kadija Ojumide and Mercy Igatto at the citizenship ceremony in The Gleneagle INEC Arena on Monday. Photo: Sally MacMonagle

Anita and Gloria Brown Dublin photographed at the citizenship ceremony in The Gleneagle INEC Arena on Monday. Photo: Sally MacMonagle

Hector Belmonte from Mexico wearing a traditional 'succulent crown' after becoming an Irish citizen in the INEC on Monday. Photo: Don MacMonagle

Held at the Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney, both were presided over by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, retired High Court Judge Bryan MacMahon and retired District Court Judge Paddy McMahon.

Among them was British film producer, environmentalist and former member of the House of Lords, Lord David Puttnam, CBE as well as many more from around the country.

At the ceremony candidates took an oath of fidelity to the nation and received their certificate of naturalisation to officially become Irish citizens.

Approximately 148,000 people have received Irish citizenship since 2011 with a total of 154 citizenship ceremonies including people from over 180 countries receiving their certificates of naturalisation.

A Virtual Citizenship Ceremony took place on July 10, 2020 when 21 candidates became Irish citizens hosted by the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD.

Previous to this, before the pandemic, 5,000 candidates became Irish citizens at the Killarney Convention Centre on March 2 and 3.