Do you have an Irish passport story? Call for submissions to mark its 100th birthday

To mark the 100th anniversary of the Irish passport, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is curating a major new exhibition in association with the Department of Foreign Affairs, opening at the end of April 2025. As part of this, EPIC is issuing a public call for personal stories, photographs, and memories that showcase the Irish passport’s role in shaping identity, emigration, and global connections.

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

Set to open at the end of 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.

Submissions will close on Wednesday, March 26. Until the closing date, individuals are invited to share their personal stories, memories, and photographs related to the Irish passport. 

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 5 pm on Wednesday 26th March.