1926 Census exhibition launched in Westmeath

A landmark exhibition exploring life in Ireland a century ago has been officially launched in Westmeath.

‘The Story of Us: Independent Ireland and the 1926 Census’ was launched yesterday, Tuesday, August 26, by the Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr Billy Collentine.

The exhibition examines what life was like in Ireland following independence, using information gathered in the 1926 Census to explore the country’s economy, society and culture.

Speaking at the launch, Cllr Collentine described the publication of the 1926 Census as an important contribution to Ireland’s history and heritage.

He praised the National Archives for its work in making the census available online and for curating the exhibition.

“The material tells us a lot about what Ireland was like for our parents, grandparents or great-grandparents in 1926,” Cllr Collentine said.

The exhibition uses census information relating to employment, religion, language and gender to provide an insight into everyday life in the newly independent State.

Cllr Collentine also welcomed the decision to include Westmeath as a stop on the exhibition’s national tour.

“I am delighted that Westmeath has been chosen as one of the stops on the tour of this exhibition and I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to visit it here in County Buildings,” he said.

The exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to explore the lives of previous generations through original census material and discover how communities in Ireland were changing during the early years of independence.