The Irish passport: Launched 100 years ago and now among most valued worldwide

Irish Daily Mirror

01-05-2025

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.