ARA, Ireland - Lecture and AGM 2026

It will take place in person on Thursday, 30 April 2026 and is generously hosted by the National Archives Ireland.

5:30pm - Lecture with Q&A

A Century sealed: 1926 Census records made accessible
Zoë Reid, Keeper of Manuscripts, National Archives of Ireland

The release of the 1926 Census has transformed access to the earliest demographic record of the Irish Free State. Now fully digitised and searchable, over 700,000 household returns reveal a society marked by rural life, demographic decline and the administrative priorities of a new state. This lecture examines the census’s distinctive features, bilingual forms, redesigned household questions and a universal Form A that captures families, institutions and military populations within a single administrative framework. Rich detail on language, occupation, employer and agricultural acreage reflects the state’s priorities in land reform and identity. The presentation will also outline the National Archives’ extensive conservation and digitisation project, involving 2,496 volumes and 45 million data points, and reflects on how researchers and the public are already engaging with this remarkable resource.

Zoë Reid is Keeper of Manuscripts at the National Archives of Ireland. Since establishing the Conservation Department in 2002, she has shaped national standards for the preservation and sustainable access of State records. With over 25 years’ experience, she is widely published and has presented internationally on conservation strategy and archival preservation. Zoë leads Public Services and Collection Care and has been involved with major exhibition and outreach projects, including The Treaty 1921, Ireland at the League of Nations and Society and State at Dublin Castle. She is a core member of the team leading the preparation and public programme for the release of the 1926 Census of Ireland.

6:15pm - Refreshments

6:30pm - ARA, Ireland Annual General Meeting

7:30pm - Closing remarks

We look forward to connecting with our members and updating everyone on our activities.

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Host or Publisher ARA, Ireland