Applying for Irish Citizenship while separated and living in NI

[trippygirl]

I have recently separated from my spouse and we both live in NI. He and the children have Irish passports.

I satisfy all residency requirements as have lived here since 1998.

Is there a process I can apply for Irish citizenship as a separated / divorced spouse? Am I better starting the application now or waiting till separation / divorced is final?

I have ILR for the U.K. but would like to have same citizenship / passport as the children. (I know I should have done this much earlier but one never knows one’s marriage will end!)