1926 Census exhibition opens in Mullingar this evening

To celebrate the release of the 1926 Census, Westmeath County Council will host a landmark exhibition curated by the National Archives, entitled ‘The Story of Us: Independent Ireland and the 1926 Census’.

Having already toured local authorities across the country this year, this exhibition will open in Mullingar tonight and run up to September 4. The public will have the chance to view it for free in the Atrium at Westmeath County Buildings, Mullingar on weekdays, between 10am and 4pm, with late openings until 8pm on Thursday, August 27, Tuesday, September 1, and Thursday, September 3.

The exhibition in Mullingar will be officially launched this evening by Cllr Bill Collentine, Cathaoirleach Comhairle Chontae na hIarmhí, at a public event in the Atrium, County Buildings, Mullingar.

Guest speakers is Orlaith McBride, Director of the National Archives and historian, Dr John Gibney. This free public event will commence at 6pm, and all are welcome to attend.

‘The Story of Us’ exhibition uses contemporary documents and photographs, audio visual displays and reproductions of census returns, to transport visitors back to the Ireland of 100 years ago. Viewers will be encouraged to contemplate the realities of life for their forebearers, who were emerging from a decade-long period of strife into the newly independent Irish Free State.