Calls for Personal Stories to Mark 100 Years of the Irish Passport

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum invites personal accounts and photographs.

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum has today issued a public call for stories to be featured in an exciting new exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of the Irish passport. Curated in association with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the exhibition will explore the history and evolution of Ireland’s most travelled document, shedding light on its role in shaping Irish identity, emigration, and global connections.

Set to open at the end April 2025, the exhibition will trace a century of the Irish passport through a dynamic mix of original historical records, archival television footage, and, most importantly, contributions from the public.

From today, Wednesday, 12th March, until 5pm on Wednesday, 26th March, EPIC invites individuals to share their personal stories, memories, and photographs related to the Irish passport. Whether it’s an anecdote about emigration, the travels of a family member, or the emotional moment of receiving a passport for the first time as a new Irish citizen, all stories are welcome.

Catherine Healy, Historian-In-Residence at EPIC, commented, “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. The passport has since shaped countless lives and journeys, connecting a diaspora of many millions.”

“We know from our work at EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum what it means to Irish people scattered across the globe – from aid workers and missionaries to teachers and nurses – as well as those who have moved to Ireland to build a new life. We are delighted to be able to capture some of these stories in a forthcoming exhibition.”

Submissions can be made via email at passport@epicchq.com or through a dedicated form on the EPIC website, which allows for easy upload of stories, photographs, and documents. Contributors will be credited for their submissions, which may be included in the exhibition or promotional materials. The deadline for story submissions is 5pm on Wednesday 26th March.