A comprehensive public programme to celebrate the upcoming centenary release of Ireland's 1926 Census of Population records by the National Archives has been announced by Ireland's Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD.
The National Archives will make the entire census, comprising over 700,000 individual household returns, freely available and fully searchable online on April 18, 2026, marking a key moment in Irish history.
An accompanying public programme was unveiled this week by Minister O’Donovan and National Archives Director Orlaith McBride.
The programme will include a landmark RTÉ documentary, a theatrical production with world-renowned ANU Productions, major exhibitions in Dublin, London, Boston, and across Ireland, and the search for official ‘Centenarian Ambassadors,' or people who were born in Ireland before the 1926 Census.
Minister Patrick O’Donovan said: "The release of the 1926 Census records is a historic moment, offering an invaluable account of life as the Irish Free State took its first steps as an independent nation. It’s a fascinating snapshot of the foundation of our state, and, more powerfully, a story of families and communities."
Minister @podonovan was at @NARIreland today to launch the official public programme to celebrate the upcoming release of the 1926 Census.
Bhí an tAire @podonovan sa Chartlann Náisiúnta inniu chun an clár poiblí oifigiúil d'fhoilsiú Dhaonáireamh 1926 a sheoladh.@CSOIreland pic.twitter.com/MePeriGkaV
— Department of Culture, Communications and Sport (@DeptCultureIRL) October 22, 2025
The Census 1926 Digitisation Project
The preparation of the 1926 Census for public release has been a monumental project for the National Archives. This initiative involves the careful preservation, high-resolution scanning, and transcription of every sheet, making the first census taken after the establishment of the State accessible to genealogists, historians, and members of the public, both in Ireland and around the world.
The online platform will provide an unprecedented resource, allowing users to efficiently navigate detailed household returns and offering a unique snapshot of life 100 years ago.
National Archives Director, Orlaith McBride, said: "The team at the National Archives has completed unbelievable work in preserving, cataloguing, and digitising these priceless documents in-house, using world-class machine-learning technology. The records will provide a comprehensive and publicly accessible dataset of life in Ireland following the establishment of the State.
Centenarian Ambassadors Programme
The National Archives is also launching a search for Centenarian Ambassadors, people who were born before April 18, 1926, and are still alive today.
It is estimated that there are over 1,000 people still alive who were recorded in the census, and these individuals offer a unique, living perspective on the past century of Irish life. The Ambassador programme aims to capture the first-hand personal testimony of those who will see their own original family records made public next April.
Minister Patrick O’Donovan said: "It’s particularly moving that we can honour the individuals who were recorded in the census, and who are still with us today, through our Centenarian Ambassadors programme.
"This extensive public programme will ensure the stories, the information, and human connections revealed by the census reach every community in Ireland and our diaspora worldwide."
National Archives Director Orlaith McBride added: "The census isn’t about lists and numbers; it’s about the people living in Ireland in 1926 and all of their descendants today. It’s the story of us, and we want to hear from as many people as possible who are in the unique position of having been recorded in this historic document.
"Anyone—or their families—interested in becoming a Centenarian Ambassador should contact the National Archives at: [email protected]."
Got a loved one born before April 18, 1926?
— National Archives, Ireland (@NARIreland) October 24, 2025
We’re looking for people who were born before April 18, 1926, to be part of our celebration of the 1926 Census!
Their voices will help us bring Irish history to life.
Find out more: https://t.co/x1wm3MhAKc#TheStoryofUs pic.twitter.com/54IKg0KabW
Programme Highlights
The comprehensive public programme is designed to bring the historical insights from the 1926 Census to the broadest possible audience, in partnership with various national and international organisations.
Full details of the individual elements of the programme, including dates and booking information, will be revealed over the coming months.
Key elements include:
Exhibitions: Major exhibitions will be held in Dublin (Dublin Castle), London (British Academy), and Boston (Boston College) in April and May 2026, acknowledging the census's significance to the Irish diaspora. A touring exhibition will also visit locations in every corner of Ireland.
Theatre Production: A site-specific theatrical production co-produced with renowned Irish company ANU Productions will take place at the National Archives in May 2026.
TV Documentary: A landmark RTÉ television documentary to air in April 2026, which will offer diverse interpretations of the census's findings.
Book: The publication of a book, The Story of Us, Independent Ireland and the 1926 Census, featuring 18 essays from leading historians.
Education & Research: A new learning resource and teachers' pack for schools, plus a series of talks, workshops, and presentations for family and local history enthusiasts, culminating in a major conference in Dublin in June 2026.
"Whether you’re interested in history, genealogy, or theatre, our full programme has something for everybody, in Ireland and around the world," said National Archives Director Orlaith McBride.
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