National Archives Launches Census 1926 Resource for Schools

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’ Donovan, TD, has today launched an education resource exploring the 1926 Census. The resource was developed by the National Archives, in collaboration with the Department of Education and Youth and Scoilnet, to mark the centenary release of the 1926 Census records earlier this year.

The online educational pack will be made freely available to every school in Ireland and contains dedicated resources for primary schools, Junior Cycle, Transition Year and Senior Cycle students.

The resource aims to bring to life for every school student in Ireland the records of the first census of the Irish Free State. Officially released on 18 April 2026, the census contains the records of more than half a million households and institutions, which have all been transcribed, catalogued and digitised by the National Archives.

About the new Resource Pack

The pack is intended as a supplementary resource for use by teachers and students alongside their coursework.

At primary level, the 1926 census lesson plans support children to distinguish between primary and secondary sources, to understand change and continuity, and to evaluate the census as a historical source. The post-primary lesson plans provide a foundation for developing skills in source analysis, support the use of digital technology tools, and foster critical thinking on the provisional nature of historical knowledge.

The full resource pack will be made available online, and includes guidance for teachers, information material for students, lesson plans and activities, case studies and much more. It gives students the opportunity to work directly with primary source material by supporting their engagement with the 1926 census.

Commenting at the launch of the resource at Scoil Mhuire agus Íde in Newcastle West, Co. Limerick, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’ Donovan TD said:

“The release of the 1926 Census records earlier this year was a historic moment for us all, providing a fascinating snapshot of the foundation of our state and a story of families and communities. My Department and the National Archives have been really committed to making sure that everybody can access and share in this unique national asset, and I’m delighted to launch this new resource, ensuring that every school student in Ireland will be able to explore and discover the wealth of information it contains. Not only are the Census 1926 records an invaluable national resource, but they also form the bedrock of understanding the history of modern Ireland, the people who have lived here, how we’ve lived and what we’ve done”.

Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton TD also commented:

“The release of the 1926 Census has opened an extraordinary window into the lives of individuals, families and communities at a pivotal moment in Ireland’s history. This new resource will enable students across the country to engage directly with that rich historical record, bringing the past to life in a meaningful and accessible way.”

“Beyond deepening their understanding of Ireland’s social and cultural development, the resource supports students in developing essential skills in research, source analysis and critical thinking. By working with authentic historical documents, young people can gain a greater appreciation of how history is recorded, interpreted and understood, while also discovering the stories of the people and communities who helped shape the Ireland we know today.”

NAI Director Orlaith McBride commented:

“For students, the census is a gift. It is one of the richest primary sources we have of life in Ireland in the early years of independence. There is no more powerful way to discover that history is not something that happened to other people, somewhere else, rather that it is local and immediate. I hope this learning resource helps students and teachers alike to explore the 1926 census with curiosity and imagination, and to find within it the story of the new Irish state, the story of us”.