GuidedResearch:Ireland Religion Unknown
Ireland Religion Unknown
Before 1864, church records are the primary source for birth, marriage, and death information. Knowing the religion is crucial in finding these records. If researching after 1864, see Civil Records.
Distribution of Religions
Catholic
Historically, about 80% of Ireland was Roman Catholic. Roughly 90% of what is now the Republic of Ireland was Catholic. To research Catholic records, see Ireland Catholic Guided Research.
Protestant
Historically, about 20% of Ireland was Protestant. The majority of Protestants were found in what is now Northern Ireland. Less than 10% of what is now the Republic of Ireland was Protestant. To research Protestant records, see Ireland Protestant Guided Research.
Religious Percentages By Year
Ireland
| Year | Roman Catholics | Church of Ireland | Presbyterians | Methodists | All Other Denominations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1834 | 81% | 11% | 8% | .3% | |
| 1861 | 78% | 12% | 9% | .8% | .7% |
| 1871 | 77% | 12% | 9% | .8% | 1.2% |
| 1881 | 77% | 12% | 9% | .9% | 1.1% |
| 1891 | 75% | 13% | 10% | 1.2% | 1.2% |
| 1901 | 74% | 13% | 10% | 1.4% | 1.4% |
| 1911 | 74% | 13% | 10% | 1.4% | 1.6% |
Northern Ireland
| Year | Roman Catholics | Church of Ireland | Presbyterians | Methodists | All Other Denominations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926 | 33% | 26% | 31% | 4% | 6% |
| 1937 | 33% | 27% | 31% | 4% | 5% |
Republic of Ireland
| Year | Roman Catholics | Church of Ireland | Presbyterians | Methodists | All Other Denominations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926 | 93% | 6% | 1% | .4% | .6% |
| 1936 | 94% | 5% | 1% | .3% | .4% |
| 1946 | 94% | 4% | .8% | .3% | .4% |
References
- ↑ State of religious and other instruction now existing in Ireland : first report and appendix, 1835, p. 42-43, www.archive.org.
- ↑ General report, Ireland, 1861, Online Historical Population Reports, p. xxvii, www.histop.org.
- ↑ General report, Ireland, 1871, Online Historical Population Reports, p. 107, www.histop.org.
- ↑ General report, Ireland, 1881, Online Historical Population Reports, p. 54, www.histop.org.
- ↑ General report, Ireland, 1891, Online Historical Population Reports, p. 50, www.histop.org.
- ↑ General report, Ireland, 1901, Online Historical Population Reports, p. 50, www.histop.org.
- ↑ General report, Ireland, 1911, Online Historical Population Reports, p. xlvi, www.histop.org.
- ↑ General report, Northern Ireland, 1926, Online Historical Population Reports, p. 57, www.histop.org.
- ↑ Census 1991 Reports - Volume 5, Central Statistics Office, p. 14, www.cso.ie.