<p>In April 1926, a few short years after the foundation of the Irish Free State, a census was taken to count and record people resident here. Nearly three million people were recorded in that census, every household return capturing the fabric of everyday life: names and families, occupations and languages, faith, birthplace. The details that shaped communities across the country. </p><p>A century later, the release of the 1926 Census of Population into the public domain offers a rare and intimate glimpse into a pivotal moment in Ireland’s history as the foundations of a new state. To mark this historic release, the National Archives of Ireland have partnered with RTÉ to produce a two-part landmark documentary series, Come to your Census and an accompanying six-part podcast series. </p><p>In this podcast series, historian Liz Gillis is joined by archivists and fellow historians – all of whom were granted early access to the records before they were issued to the public – Liz unpacks some of the key themes that emerge from the pages of the 1926 census.</p><p></p><p>Over six episodes, the series reveals the stories, communities and social changes that shaped Ireland during the early years of the Free State.</p>