Dad’s American, You Live in Ireland — Are You a U.S. Citizen? Yes. Irish? Not Automatically.

Short answers:

• U.S. citizen? Yes — if your father met transmission requirements.
• Irish citizen? No — residence alone doesn’t confer citizenship.

🇺🇸 U.S. Citizenship by Descent (INA §301/309)

You’re a U.S. citizen at birth if:

• Your father was a U.S. citizen at your birth.
• He lived in the U.S. for 5+ years before your birth, at least 2 after age 14.
• Parents married at time of birth (if not, different rules — but still possible).
• Birth registered with Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) — not required for citizenship, but proves it.

If all above true → you’re American. Passport eligible. No naturalization needed.

🇮🇪 Irish Citizenship — Not Automatic

• Birth in Ireland? Only if born before 2005 (jus soli). After 2005: at least one parent Irish/UK citizen or legal resident 3 of 4 years pre-birth.
• Descent? If an Irish-born grandparent → Foreign Births Register (FBR) → citizenship.
• Naturalization: 5 years reckonable residence (marriage to Irish: 3 years). Must prove good character, intent to reside.

📋 What You Should Do

1. Confirm dad’s U.S. physical presence records (tax returns, school, employment).
2. Apply for U.S. passport (Form DS-11 + CRBA if never done).
3. Check Irish eligibility — grandparent? spouse? residence?
4. Dual citizenship? Allowed by both countries.

You likely already are American. Irish? Only if you qualify separately. Living there doesn’t count.