The Population of Ireland
The first official census was taken in Ireland in 1821. Subsequently a census was taken
every 10 years until the present.
The first two censuses in 1821 and 1831 were taken for statistical purposes only and did
not contain information of genealogical interest. The first census of genealogical interest
was taken in 1841. Unfortunately, the Irish censuses between 1841 and 1891 were
destroyed before they could be microfilmed. There are some scattered snippets of
some of the censuses. Nothing survives from Ballinrobe and the surrounding area.
There had been previous attempts to determine the population of Ireland before the 1821 census.
The estimated population of Ireland at various times was as follows:
- According to Sir William Petty in 1672 the population of Ireland was
"1, 100,000 souls".
- Captain Smith in 1695 estimated the population at 1,034,102.
- At the request of the House of Lords an estimate was made in 1731 putting the population
at 2,010,221.
- Thomas Dobbs, Esq. made calculations on the population of Ireland based on
Heath money collections. These were taxes accessed on the number of fireplaces in
every dwelling in the British Islands. Dobb's made the following population estimates:
- 1712 around 2,099.094
- 1718 around 2,169, 048
- 1725 around 2,317,374
- 1726 around 2,309,106
- 1754 at 2,372,634
- 1767 at 2,544,276
- 1777 at 2,690,556
- 1785 at 2,845,932
- In 1788 Mr. Gervais Parker Biske, at the request of the Commissions of Revenue,
estimated the population at 4,040,000.
- In 1791 the House of Common's estimate, based on Heath money collections,
was 4,205,612.
- Dr. Beauford estimated the population in 1792 at 4,088,226.
- Major Neweham estimated the population in 1805 at 5,395,456.
- There was an incomplete census taken in 1813, which put the population at 5,937,856.
The 1821 census,taken in the reign of King George the III, was the first attempt to
actually count everyone in the country and arrive at an official count, not just an estimate.
According to the census, the total population of Ireland in 1821 was ---------
Subsequent censuses indicate the following population for Ireland:
- In 1831 the population was ----------
- In1841 the population was ----------
- In 1851 the population was 6,552,385.
- In 1861 the population was 5,789,967.
- In 1871 the population was 5,412,377
- In 1881 the population was 5,174,836
- In 1891 the population was 4,704,750
- In 1901 the population was 4,458,775
According to the statistics compiled from the 1821 census:
- County Mayo contained 1,235 square miles, 53,051 dwellings and an average population
of 4.5 persons per square mile.
- The Parish of Ballinrobe contained 968 families in 941 houses with 2,386 males
and 2,433 females. 1,407 persons were employed in agriculture, 1,574 in the trades
and 155 in "other". The parish included 15 males and 4 females in school.
Under "Observations" was the following comment: " One female, upwards of 100 years of
age in Ballinrobe Parish."
- The town of Ballinrobe contained 1,103 males and 1,088 females with 188 persons
employed in agriculture, 949 in the trades and 309 in "other".
The town included 139 males and 103 females in school.
Under observations was the following comment: "The town of Ballinrobe is in the
Parish of that name. One male upwards of 100 years of age in the town.
There is a charter school of 52 boys and 41 girls."
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