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National Archives Launches Census 1926 Resource for Schools
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”.Patrick O’ Donovan TD, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport.
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.
The Learning Resource is here!
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”.Patrick O’ Donovan TD, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport.