Talk

1926 Census of the Irish Free State

An unmissable exploration of the biggest new arrival in Irish family history.

Date: 28 April 2026
Location: Online

The release of the 1926 Census on 18 April 2026 opens unprecedented access to the earliest demographic record of the Irish Free State. Free to access and fully searchable through the National Archives of Ireland’s new online platform, it offers over 700,000 digitised household returns.

This presentation will guide users through key search tools, browsing options, and the custom map and dashboard features, while outlining the census’s distinctive elements, bilingual forms, redesigned household questions and a universal Form A covering families, institutions and military populations. It will also highlight rich data on language, occupation, employer and agricultural acreage, and briefly describe the extensive conservation and digitisation project that enabled this landmark release.

Join Orlaith McBride, Director, National Archives, Ireland and Zoë Reid, Public Services and Collection Care, National Archives, Ireland to find out how this resource supports family historians, social historians and those tracing Irish connections from across the UK.

In partnership with

National Archives of Ireland - Census 2026

Date: 28 April 2026, 19:30 to 20:30
Price: Free
Location: Online, Live-streamed on Vimeo
Part of series: Getting started with family history

Book now

Dates for this event

28 April 2026

19:30 to 20:30

How to join online

What you need to join

This event will be live streamed on the website of our streaming service, Vimeo.

When you book, you will receive an email that includes the link you need to join the event. This link will also be shared with you in a reminder email in advance of the event.

Vimeo provide guidance on How to watch a live event.
You do not need a Vimeo account to join. If you do sign up for a Vimeo account, please be aware you may be asked to verify your age. You can find out more here: About age verification in the UK and EU
You can join from your browser from a laptop or mobile device.
For the best experience we recommend using either a laptop or desktop computer.

Help during the event

To access the live event, click on the link in the Eventbrite confirmation email you received when you booked the event. Vimeo will open in your web browser.

If the live event hasn’t started at the advertised start time, please refresh your browser window and click the play button on the event again. If that doesn’t work, try closing the browser window and clicking the link in your confirmation email again.
You can enable live subtitles by clicking on the ‘CC’ button at the bottom of the video player. ‘CC’ stands for ‘Closed Captions’.
When you join the event, you may have to click on the sound icon at the bottom of the video to unmute the sound. If there is still no sound, please make sure that you have got your speakers turned up to full volume.
If you have a query that has not been answered above, please email us at whatson@nationalarchives.gov.uk

Watch after the event

This talk will be available to watch after the event, using the same link you will receive to join it live. It will remain available for a limited period of 48 hours after the event has finished, unless otherwise stated.