To mark the release of the 1926 Census of Population, the National Archives has appointed 48 Centenarian Ambassadors — individuals who were alive when the census was taken and whose names appear in the original records.
Drawn from almost 100 centenarians who contacted the National Archives, the Ambassadors were born between 1920 and 1926 and today live across Ireland, from Donegal to Waterford and from Dublin to Galway. Members of the Irish diaspora in the United States, Canada, Britain and Australia are also represented.
A living link to 1926
The Centenarian Ambassador programme captures first‑hand personal testimony from people who were present in Ireland at the time of the 1926 Census. Their stories offer a rare, living perspective on a century of Irish life and will be preserved by the National Archives as part of the permanent historical record.
As part of the programme, each Ambassador took part in a short, recorded conversation about their life and memories. These video and photo stories will be shared in association with Census 1926 activities around the country. Each Ambassador has also received a specially designed commemorative mug and certificate to mark the occasion.
Joseph Davis from Cork, one of the Centenarian Ambassadors, reflected on his involvement:
“It’s an honour to be chosen as one of the Ambassadors for this programme. To still be here more than one hundred years after being recorded in the Census back in 1926 is a privilege and a gift. It was a trip down a long memory lane sharing my story with the team at the National Archives and I hope people find our stories interesting.”
Recognising a historic moment
Speaking about the programme, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan TD noted that the release of the 1926 Census is “a historic moment, offering an invaluable account of life in the early years of the Free State.” He highlighted the significance of honouring those who were recorded in 1926 and are still with us today.
National Archives Director Orlaith McBride emphasised the importance of the Ambassadors’ contributions, observing that “the census isn’t about lists and numbers; it’s about the people living in Ireland in 1926 and all of their descendants today.” She described the programme as a privilege and a highlight for the National Archives team.
Census 1926 Centenarian ambassadors:
The following individuals are our Centenarian Ambassadors for the 1926 Census. Born between 1920 and 1926, they represent communities across Ireland and the wider Irish diaspora.
- Sr. Eileen Creagh, Australia
- John Larkin, Canada
- Charlotte Elizabeth Kinkade, Cavan
- Joan Coll, Clare
- Sr Miriam Twohig, Cork
- Joseph Patrick Davis, Cork
- Kathleen Gibbings, Cork
- Kathleen Fitzgibbon, Cork
- Noelle Newenham, Cork
- Margaret Mary Walsh, Cork
- Mary Hosford, Cork & Dublin
- Susie Boyle, Donegal
- Sr. Florence Hutchinson, Donegal
- Catherine Leahy, Dublin
- Eileen Casey, Dublin
- Joseph Courtney, Dublin
- Máire Walsh, Dublin
- Mary Gilsenan, Dublin
- Moya Connelly, Dublin
- Michael Hickey, Dublin
- Pauline Kearns, Dublin
- Sarah Dwyer, Dublin
- Jeremiah Murphy, Dublin
- Seamus Shelly, Dublin
- Denis O’Donovan, Dublin
- Marie Tubbert, Dublin
- Sr. Mary Patricia Lynn, Fermanagh
- Bridget Mary O’Connor, Galway
- Sr. Agatha Durkan, Galway
- Sr. Dorothy Duggan, Galway
- Sr. Felicitas Geraghty, Galway
- Sr. Paul Carmody, Galway
- Anne Meskell, Limerick
- Bridget Landers, Limerick & Cork
- Mary Bannon, London
- Patrick Kenny, London
- Breda Bridget Robertson, London
- Bridget Joyce, Mayo
- George O’Connor, Meath
- Ann Carey, Meath
- Sr. Bosco Daly, Offaly
- Maureen Hanley, Offaly
- Frances Conroy, Tipperary
- Nancy Lally, Chicago
- Moira Toomey Putman, Illinois
- Bridget Keating, Waterford
- John Patrick McNaboe, Westmeath
- Iris Suzannah Dungan, Wexford