By Meath Live reporter Paul Murphy
The 1926 Census roadshow is coming to the heart of Navan this Summer, it has been announced. And two Meath people who are centenarians whose names appear in the original census records are among 48 people from throughout the country named as “Centenarians Ambassadors”. The National Archives announced The Story of Us Exhibition touring 10 counties throughout 2026. The Navan venue is St Mary’s Community Centre at Trimgate Street, Navan and the event is scheduled for July.
The historic release of the 1926 census records will take place on 18th April. The Centenarian Ambassadors for Meath are George O’Connor and Ann Carey. Centenarians from the Irish diaspora living in the US, Canada, Britain and Australia are also included. The programme of events has captured the first-hand personal testimony of each of the ambassadors which offers a unique living perspective on the past century of Irish Life. The ambassadors are all in line for a specially-designed commemorative mug and certificate.
BACK STORY
Life in Ireland in 1926 was not easy for many people. The country had a population of 2,971, 992, a 5.3% decline since the 1911 census (and compared to today’s population of 5.36m to 5.55m). We were mainly an agricultural country and deeply conservative and the years prior to 1926 were troubled – we had just got over a civil war. There was high emigration. Major events in the country included the official opening by President Douglas Hyde of the Irish Free State broadcasting Service 2RN. Minister for Finance Ernest Blythe introduced a Bill providing for the issue of silver, nickel and bronze coins for Saorstat Eireann (although many people now in their 70s and 80s will have heard their parents condemn Blythe for famously/infamously cutting the old age pension by a shilling).
Minister for Justice Kevin O’Higgins appointed a Committee on Evil Literature!. An Irishwoman Violet Gibson shot the Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini in Rome (her shot hit his nose, on a second attempt her gun jammed). Eamon de Valera and Sean Lemass decided to go all operatic and formed the new Fianna Fail Party at La Scala Theatre in Dublin.
48 people were burned to death in a cinema fire in Drumcollogher, Limerick. President W T Cosgrave introduced emergency legislation after the killing of two unarmed Gardai. The Blinds is down Joxer – Sean O’Casey’s Plough and the Stars opened with a mini-riot at the Abbey Theatre.
Kerry beat Kildare in the All Ireland Final. Among the births that year were Garret Fitzgerald, Desmond Connell (later cardinal), Ray McAnally (actor), J P Donleavy (writer), Philomena Garvey, Louth (golfer), Milo O’Shea (actor), Declan Costello (judge), Hugh Leonard (dramatist), Brian Behan (brother of Brendan).
