In Ireland, legal guardianship gives a person rights and responsibilities in relation to a child’s upbringing, including decisions around education, religion, and healthcare. While mothers automatically gain guardianship at birth, fathers do not always have the same status — particularly if they are not married to the child’s mother.
Unmarried fathers can apply for guardianship through the courts, or more commonly now, be named on the child’s birth certificate if registered after 18 January 2016. Even then, many fathers still face challenges accessing their rights, especially during a separation or divorce.