Clarification re: citizenship by decent

This is probably a stupid question, but -

My great-grandparents were Irish and born in Ireland. I'm confused by this:

People registered before July 1986 are deemed Irish citizens either from the date the original Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act came into force, that is, 17 July 1956, or their date of birth, whichever is later. Only children born after 17 July 1956 can claim citizenship in such cases.

Does this mean that even though my grandmother was born in 1920, before this act came into place, she would not be considered Irish, and I wouldn't be able to register myself in the FBR?

Thanks in advance.

erinster wrote:This is probably a stupid question, but -

My great-grandparents were Irish and born in Ireland. I'm confused by this:

People registered before July 1986 are deemed Irish citizens either from the date the original Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act came into force, that is, 17 July 1956, or their date of birth, whichever is later. Only children born after 17 July 1956 can claim citizenship in such cases.

Does this mean that even though my grandmother was born in 1920, before this act came into place, she would not be considered Irish, and I wouldn't be able to register myself in the FBR?

Thanks in advance.

If you are claiming through your great-grandparent, the clause that you posted does not refer to your grandmother - rather it refers to whichever parent you propose to claim Irish citizenship through.

If your mother/father claimed FBR prior to July 1986, they would be considered an Irish citizen from either 17 July 1956, or their date of birth, whichever is the later date. Any children they had post-17 July 1956 would be able to claim FBR through that parent.

If your mother/father claimed FBR after July 1986, they would only be considered Irish citizens from the date they were entered in the FBR Register. Therefore any kids they had prior to July 1986 would not be entitled to claim FBR through them.

If your mother/father never claimed FBR prior to your birth, you are out of luck, unfortunately.

Did either of your parents or your grandmother get an Irish passport before you were born? If she is still alive, ask her if she had a passport. If she had an Irish passport you are the grandchild of a citizen and can get citizenship.