1926 Irish Census Released Online Tomorrow, April 18, Revealing Lives 100 Years Ago

The 1926 census forms will be released online tomorrow, providing the public with access to information about the lives of people living in Ireland exactly 100 years ago. The census, taken on April 18, 1926, was the first conducted after the establishment of the Irish Free State.

Orlaith McBride, Director of the National Archives of Ireland, described the release as marking "an incredible moment in Irish history," following "a decade of revolution, upheaval and conflict." She added that while history often focuses on major events, the census returns reveal the stories and details of everyday life for people across Ireland.

The 1926 census recorded a population of 2,971,992, a 5.3% decrease from the previous 32-county census in 1911. The National Archives has digitized over 700,000 return sheets to make them available online, following a 100-year confidentiality period.

Starting tomorrow, the census will be accessible to genealogists, historians, and the general public in Ireland and worldwide through the National Archives website. A video with further information about the 1926 Census is also available.