A new RTE documentary follows three immigrants battling the system as they desperately chase Irish citizenship.
Growing up in a neutral, peaceful country is something most of us take for granted.
However, Becoming Irish – which is available on the RTE Player – deals with the reality facing those fleeing persecution, conflict and genocide as they try to find a safe haven to call their home.
The documentary sees the journey of people such as Iranian-born Leitrim hurler Zak Moradi, who re-settled in Ireland without being able to speak any English.
His parents are from a mountainous region alongside the border with Iraq and when war broke out between the two countries in 1980,
his family fled to Ramadi in central Iraq, where he was born in 1991.
But following the 9/11 attacks in 2001, tensions began to rise in their adopted country, with the family fleeing to Ireland in 2002.
It also looks at Venezuelan citizen Carlow Gonzalez who fled his war-torn homeland after robbers cleaned his house out at gun point.
Also featured is the journey of English-born Elinor Lyon Murphy who moved here in 2010.
She had already found love with an Irish man but also was enticed by job prospects.
She decided to apply for citizenship when she was prevented in voting to repeal the eighth amendment or the marriage referendum.
Elinor said: “Flying into Dublin is quite a romantic experience, it is such a picturesque city.
“What Irish citizenship is going to give me is a voice, I wasn’t able to vote in the yes to equality or the repeal the eighth vote.
“Ireland, politically it feels like it is progressing so much, it feels like I have missed out a little bit not being part of those steps.
“Having Irish citizenship and being part of that is something valuable to me.”
Elinor was also concerned about the ramifications of Brexit and so, along with 981 other British people, she hopes to be taking the oath of fidelity to the Irish State in this round.
She said: “I receive a postal vote so I was able to vote remain and I suppose I thought everyone else would.
“It was a massive shock; I really didn’t see it coming and the day after I started inquiring about Irish citizenship.
“Brexit has been on my mind and is on my mind all the time.
“We are expecting, so there is a little baby due in August.”
