Newly accessible records from a census conducted a century ago have illuminated one of the more striking demographic shifts during the early years of the Irish Free State: a substantial decrease in the Protestant population.
The 1911 census data reveals that between that time, when Ireland was still part of Britain, and 1926, the non-Catholic population – which was predominantly Protestant – experienced a one-third reduction. This contrasts sharply with the Catholic population, which saw a decline of only 2% during the same period.
The years separating the 1911 and 1926 censuses were marked by profound historical upheaval in Ireland. This era witnessed significant events such as the Easter Rising and a protracted two-year War of Independence. The conclusion of this conflict in 1922 led to the establishment of two distinct political entities: the independent Irish Free State, which would eventually evolve into the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland, which remained a part of the United Kingdom.
This partition of the island followed decades of discord between nationalist factions advocating for independence from British rule and unionists who wished to maintain ties with the United Kingdom. Generally, Protestants leaned towards unionist sentiment, while Catholics were more inclined towards nationalism.
The 1926 census, therefore, captured the demographic landscape during the nascent stages of the new Irish Free State.
Factors Influencing Population Shifts
Census officials posited that approximately one-quarter of the overall decline in the Protestant population could be attributed to the departure of the British Army and their dependents. The distribution of Protestant communities across the state was not uniform, leading to regional variations in the rate of population decrease.
The province of Munster recorded the most pronounced drop, at 42.9%. Connacht followed with a 36.3% decline, and Leinster experienced a 32.4% reduction. In contrast, the border counties of Ulster, specifically Donegal, Cavan, and Monaghan, saw the smallest population decrease at 22.5%.
Despite this overall decline, the census data from 1926 indicates that Protestants maintained a strong presence in numerous professional, commercial, and agricultural sectors.
Socioeconomic Standing in 1926
Protestants constituted a significant proportion of various occupational groups. They represented 17% of employers, 18.4% of managers and professionals, 46% of chartered accountants, and 39% of barristers.
Interestingly, the number of non-Catholic farmers and their families had seen a slight increase of nearly 4% since 1911. According to historical analysis by the National Archives, this was partly due to Protestants benefiting from land reforms or retaining ancestral lands after the breakdown of larger estates. Consequently, Protestants continued to be disproportionately represented among owners of larger farms.
Orlaith McBride, Director of the National Archives, noted that while other religious groups resided in the Free State, Protestants formed the majority. She elaborated on the demographic changes, stating, “Between 1911 and 1926, in terms of the 26 counties, we see a drop in the non-Catholic population of 32%. That’s very, very significant. There is a drop in the overall population in the 26 counties of about 5%.”
McBride further explained, “We can see that between 1911 and 1926, that people who were perhaps of the Protestant faith, they moved into the six counties [in Northern Ireland] and then you saw people of the Catholic faith from around the border moving down into the 26 counties [in the Irish Free State].”
A Glimpse into Daily Life
The 1926 census also provides a window into the everyday lives of individuals from a century ago. Anne Carey, a resident of County Meath who is set to celebrate her 102nd birthday in November, is listed in the 1926 census records.
She is among 48 centenarian ambassadors selected from nearly 100 individuals who were alive when the census was conducted and who subsequently contacted the National Archives. Carey, a former seamstress who crafted her own clothing and also worked in Dublin making fur coats, has three daughters, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Her experiences span both World Wars; she recalls the dropping of German bombs in Dublin in 1941. Describing that event, she recounted, “[Life] wasn’t bad. I remember the bombing on South Circular Road. My mother woke me up to say we were being bombed. But I said, ‘Why did you wake me up?'”
When asked about the secret to her longevity, Carey shared a simple philosophy: “In my bedroom, I have a window and I look out. And I say to myself: ‘I’ll never see this day again, don’t bang it up.'”
Broader Demographic Snapshot from 1926
Beyond the religious demographic shifts, the 1926 Irish Free State census offers broader insights into the population and its structure at the time. The total population had decreased to 2,971,992, a reduction from 3,139,688 in 1911. The population was comprised of 49% females and 51% males.
Dublin was the sole county to record population growth since 1911, with an increase of almost 6%. All other counties experienced a population loss.
Regarding language and religion, the census data indicated that 92.6% of the population identified as Catholic, and 18.3% of individuals possessed the ability to speak Irish.
Employment sectors were also detailed: approximately 51% of the workforce was engaged in agricultural occupations, 4% were fishermen, 14% were involved in manufacturing, and 7% worked as domestic servants.