Census 1926

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 April 18, 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).

Census 1926 household returns

The Census 1926 returns include the following data sets:

Household Returns (Form A)

1. Name and surname
2. Relationship to head of household
3. Age (in years and months)
4. Sex
5. Marriage or orphanhood
6. Birthplace (including name of townland or town)
7. Irish language
8. Religion
9. Occupation and employment: personal occupation
10. Occupation and employment: employment/name and business of employer
11. Information regarding present marriage required from married women: number of completed years and months of present marriage, and number of children born alive to present marriage
12. Information regarding present and previous marriages required from married men, widowers and widows: the number of living sons, daughters, step-sons and step-daughters under 16 years of age, whether residing as members of this household or elsewhere;
13. The total area in statute acres of all agricultural holdings (if any) situated in the Irish Free State of which persons usually resident in this household are the rated occupiers.

Click here to see a blank Household Return (Form A) in English

Click here to see a blank Household Return (Form A) in Irish

Enumerators’ Returns (Form B) for each townland/street

1. Whether buildings are private dwelling houses or other buildings
2. Whether inhabited or uninhabited
3. Number of distinct families living in each house or building
4. Name of the head of each family
5. Number of males
6. Number of females
7. Total population
8. Number of rooms occupied by each family

Click here to see the front blank Enumerators’ Returns (Form B)

Click here to see the reverse blank Enumerators’ Returns (Form B)