First Irish Free State census

Census 1926 holds a unique place in history as it was the first census conducted after the establishment of the Irish Free State. Taken on 18 April 1926, it provides a detailed snapshot of life in Ireland during that period.

The 1926 Irish census recorded a population of 2,971,992, a decrease of 5.3% from the 1911 census. The 1926 census data is currently controlled by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and has been transferred to the National Archives.

Census 1926 is stored in 1,299 boxes, containing over 700,000 return sheets. The returns are laced together in 2,494 canvas volumes each representing an enumeration area within each of the 26 counties. Census 1926 is made up of 21 data sets listed in Household Returns (A Form) and Enumerator Returns (B Form).