If you have at least one grandparent who was born in Ireland, you are eligible for Irish Republic (dual) citizenship and then can obtain an Irish passport. Our speaker will walk us through the process for fulfilling all the requirements of both Irish citizenship and getting your Irish passport. In addition, she will share how you can enjoy the many benefits of being an Irish citizen, both practical and sentimental.

While many of us may have Irish-born grandparents, relatively few apply for Irish citizenship, perhaps put off by concern about the paperwork and the process. Take the first step and come and learn what is really involved from a fellow Museum member and Newport County native who has learned first-hand and is eager to share her knowledge. Barbara Roy has proven success in this process, including the required interaction with the Irish Consulate Office. Q&A will follow the presentation.

BARBARA (LEPLEY) CROWELL ROY grew up in Middletown and has two maternal grandparents born in Ireland. After a trip to Ireland in 2006 she decided to apply for Irish citizenship. She became an Irish citizen in 2007 and received her Irish passport shortly thereafter. Married to Vance C. Roy, MD, she divides her time between Newport and Sachseln, Switzerland. A graduate of the former St. Catherine’s Academy, she is a registered nurse who holds an MBA from Boston College and a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Arizona State University. She serves as a docent at the Museum of Newport Irish History Interpretive Center and is president of Eve’s Fund for Native American Health Initiatives, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting literacy, injury prevention and education for Native American youth in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.