By Chinedu Onyejelem

An exclusive group of 100 immigrants will be granted Irish citizenship next month in recognition of their contributions to Ireland, Metro Éireann has learned.

The Department of Justice said the “special” citizenship ceremony is planned for Waterford City Hall on 4 March as part of the 1848 Tricolour Celebration for 2016.

“The Government is committed to respecting all traditions on this island equally. It also recognises that developing a greater understanding of our shared history, in all of its diversity, is essential to developing greater understanding and building a shared future,” added a spokesperson for the Department of the Taoiseach.

The celebrations for the centenary of the Easter Rising “will belong to everyone on this island and to our friends and families overseas – regardless of political or family background, or personal interpretation of our modern history.

“The Government is committed to ensuring that 2016 will be a year of rich and diverse activities when the full complexity of the last 100 years on this island can be explored and celebrated,” the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, some 2,500 new Irish citizens will also receive their naturalisation certificates in ceremonies planned for Dublin’s Convention Centre on Friday 15 April.