The 1926 census has been an amazing new resource that allows people to discover their family stories and the stories of their communities since its release online by the National Archives of Ireland on the 18th of April. Now, Waterford City and County Archives and Waterford Libraries Service in partnership with the National Archives of Ireland will be launching an exhibition on the 1926 Census at Waterford Central Library, Lady Lane on Wednesday 5th August at 6.30pm. This exhibition from the National Archives of Ireland will allow visitors to the exhibition to explore the Ireland of 1926 and discover the stories told by the census about the newly independent Ireland and its people.

In addition to viewing the exhibition itself visitors will be able to search the census online at laptops made available to accompany the exhibition. Visitors to the exhibition will also find a selection of documents from Waterford City and County Archives providing a glimpse into life in Waterford City and County in the 1920s. Waterford Libraries Service will also have a display of books on Ireland and Waterford in the 1920s.

Mayor of Waterford Cllr. Liam Brazil will open the exhibition on Wednesday 5th August and Zoe Reid, Keeper of Manuscripts at the National Archives will speak about the work that was carried out by the National Archives to make the census available. Fin Dwyer from the Irish History Podcast will talk at the launch about items of Waterford interest in the 1926 census.

All are welcome to attend the launch of the exhibition but please RSVP on Eventbrite at https://bit.ly/4frzmfe or contact Waterford Central Library on 051 849975.

The exhibition will be open to visitors at the Index Gallery, Waterford Central Library from 4th-20th August. There will also be more talks on Waterford in the 1926 Census during Heritage Week so keep an eye out on www.heritageweek.ie for further updates.

If you can’t wait to explore the 1926 Census don’t forget you can access it at any time online at www.nationalarchives.ie