Japanese Spouse of an American/Irish Citizen?

[sunnyside]

Hello,

I am an American. I am eligible for Irish citizenship through both my parents. Indeed, my sister has Irish citizenship and has been living in Ireland for the last 15 years.

My wife is Japanese. We are planning to move to Japan from New York at the end of March for the rest of our lives (I will work for 10 years or so and then retire; she is retiring completely). If for some reason Japan does not work out, would we be able to move Europe if I had Irish citizenship? Likely European destinations for us would be Portugal, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, or the U.K.

Have a lot to do before I go. We have lived here together in New York for more than 30 years. Is it worth the time to try to get Irish citizenship before I go? I guess I could do it someday in Japan too, if I wanted, but somehow I think it is easier doing from here.

Thanks ahead for any advice on this matter.

[sunnyside]

An important point I did not add: Would my wife be able to immigrate with me to Europe? Or would there be difficulty in her doing so? That's what I meant by whether it would be worth me getting Irish citizenship. Thanks.