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1926 Census by numbers

92.6 %
Of the population were catholic
2971992
Population size
18.3 %
Of the population spoke Irish

The National Archives of Ireland provides access to Ireland’s public records for researchers worldwide. With over 60 million documents spanning more than 200 years of history, it serves as a rich source of information for researchers of all kinds.

Our team of experts curate, preserve and provide access to the records held in the archives, ensuring transparency and a deeper understanding of Ireland’s past.

Services to government

Our work with government

The National Archives is the official repository of State records. We are responsible for collecting, preserving and making public all government records as directed by the National Archives Act of 1986. This includes records from all government departments that are over 30 years old, as well as records from 61 scheduled bodies, the courts at all levels and tribunals or bodies established by the government.

Featured collections

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Decade of Centenaries cover image

Decade of Centenaries

Charting the historical development of Ireland from 1912 to 1923, a most turbulent and transformative decade.

Image from the start of the 20th century of a family in Ireland in front of a cottage, overlaid with an image of a census from the time.

Census records, 1901 and 1911

Explore the original manuscript returns for each household in the thirty-two counties of Ireland that still exist for the 1901 and 1911 censuses.

Dail Eireann

Dáil Éireann collections

Discover the early years of the Irish State through documents and records from the First (1919–1921) and Second (1921–1922) Dála.

Chief Secretary’s Office Registered Papers, 1818 – 1922

Chief Secretary’s Office Registered Papers, 1818–1922

The records of the Chief Secretary's Office are some of the most valuable original source materials for researching Ireland in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

How we prepared the Census

Take a look behind the scenes

The National Archives of Ireland is where researchers and members of the public can view original documents and records from departments of state, the courts, public bodies as well as many private collections.

 

The documents held in the Archives help to provide an understanding of the social, economic and political history of Ireland.