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u/gagster939

▲ 0 r/IrishCitizenship

Irish Citizenship Naturalisation Query – Previous 4 Years Absences & Eligibility

Hi everyone,

Looking for some advice/experiences regarding Irish citizenship by naturalisation eligibility.

My reckonable residency started on 30 March 2021. If I apply now (May 2026), my absences from Ireland are approximately:

- 13 May 2025 → 13 May 2026: ~46 days

- 13 May 2024 → 13 May 2025: ~85 days

- 13 May 2023 → 13 May 2024: ~89 days

- 13 May 2022 → 13 May 2023: ~76 days

- 13 May 2021 → 13 May 2022: ~59 days

Most of these trips were for family visits and marriage-related travel. These absences were not continuous throughout the years and were spread across multiple trips. My single longest trip outside Ireland was approximately 76 days.

From what I understand:

- the immediate previous year is the most important one,

- and staying within the 70/30 guidance is usually key for continuous residence.

My concern is mainly about the previous 4 years. Has anyone here been approved with similar absence numbers in those years?

Would really appreciate hearing about:

- personal experiences,

- solicitor advice you received,

- or whether Immigration looks strictly at physical presence vs overall reckonable residence.

Thanks in advance!

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u/gagster939 — 3 days ago
▲ 1 r/VisitingMallorca

Overnight stay at the airport?

Hi everyone,

My flight arrives at Palma de Mallorca Airport around 1:00 am, and it looks like there are very limited transport options at that time.

I wanted to ask if it’s safe/allowed to stay inside the airport overnight for a few hours until morning? I’ll be travelling with my partner as well.

If yes, are there any particular sections or terminals that are better or more comfortable to stay in?

Would also appreciate any tips from people who’ve done this before in Palma Airport. Thanks!

Edit: forgot to mention I have rental car pickup in the morning from the airport.

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u/gagster939 — 8 days ago
▲ 25 r/Irishdrivingtest

Passed my driving test first time in Dún Laoghaire today!!

Wanted to share my experience because reading posts here genuinely helped me before my test.

My test was at 2:30pm (was worried about as it was during school hours) and I arrived around 15 minutes early. The examiner seemed quite strict at the beginning and didn’t really make small talk. He only explained how the test would proceed and stayed very professional throughout.

Before driving, he asked me a few road signs and theory questions. The signs I remember were:

- Uneven surface ahead

- Pedestrianised zone

- Clearway

- Motorway sign

- Double yellow lines

He also asked me hand signals and some theory questions, including the yellow box rule.

During the drive, I honestly thought I messed up at one stage. The examiner asked me to pull in on the left, but there was a gate entrance just before a bin outside a house, so I hesitated because I didn’t want to block the entrance or stop too close to the bin. I asked if I could park after the bin instead, but he said no and that I should park where he asks me to park.

That threw me off a bit mentally. I parked very close to the bin and then he asked me to reverse slightly because I was closer than he wanted. In that moment I forgot to properly observe all around before reversing, and I ended up getting a Grade 2 fault for observation.

After that he asked me to do the turnabout and thankfully that went fine.

What surprised me most was that although he seemed strict, he was actually fairly lenient with marking and the test felt more manageable once I settled into driving. I finished with 5 Grade 2 faults and still passed on my first attempt.

For anyone doing test soon: don’t panic if the examiner seems serious at the start. Also, don’t dwell too much on small mistakes during the test. I realised that if I kept thinking about mistakes I had already made, I would probably end up making more mistakes because my focus wouldn’t fully be on the road ahead.

If anyone wants more details about any part of the test or the faults I got, I’m happy to explain further in comments.

Best of luck to everyone waiting on their test.

u/gagster939 — 15 days ago