Ireland's 1926 Census Reveals Longevity Surprise, GDPR Hurdles

The National Archives of Ireland is embarking on a significant historical undertaking: the public release of the 1926 census. This process, however, is far from straightforward, complicated by modern data protection laws like GDPR, which did not exist when the census was originally compiled.

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We couldn’t believe how many of them there were. In many ways their lives reflect the evolution and the development of the modern Irish State.

An unexpected hurdle emerged with the discovery that 1,200 individuals from the 1926 census are still alive today, a testament to remarkable longevity. Obtaining their consent for data release proved a complex logistical challenge, requiring the National Archives team to be appointed officers of the Central Statistics Office. The Department of Social Protection played a crucial role in contacting these centenarians, some of whom chose to have their details redacted, while others embraced the opportunity to share their stories.

Intriguingly, among the centenarians who agreed to be public ambassadors, a disproportionate number were nuns. This observation, noted by National Archives director Orlaith McBride, echoes a long-standing phenomenon studied in academic circles – the extended lifespan of women in religious orders. While the exact reasons remain a subject of discussion, it adds a unique layer to the narrative of Irish longevity.

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It’s a random figure, but I thought it was interesting there were so many nuns.

These centenarians, like Sr Miriam Twohig who recalls hearing about the outbreak of World War II, offer invaluable first-hand accounts. Their lives, spanning a century of profound change in the modern Irish State, provide a deeply personal lens through which to view the nation's evolution. The 1926 census, meticulously collected by 2,000 gardaí and preserved in hardback books, is not just a collection of data but a repository of lived experiences, offering a unique perspective on Ireland's past.

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My father was listening to the radio and he came in to the kitchen and said: ‘Mother, the war is on, the war is on.’ I will never forget it.