The Irish Free State came into existence in December 1922 after a decade of upheaval and revolution. A snapshot of the new state was taken on 18 April 1926, when the first post-independence census was held. It provided the government of the day with a portrait of Ireland and its people.

Society & State: Ireland Through Its Records consists of a selection of over one hundred records from the National Archives, many on public display for the first time; wall-mounted, illustrated exhibition text; and archival film footage relating to a range of themes.

Visit the Coach House Gallery, Dublin Castle Gardens, Dame Street, Dublin 2, D02 X822 to view the exhibition.

Free lunchtime tours will run on Wednesdays for 30 minutes from 1.15pm–1.45pm and will be given by members of the exhibition’s historical research team. The tours will highlight the documents on display and the story they tell about how the State and Irish society interacted from the 1920s to the end of the 20^th century. Each tour is limited to 12 complimentary tickets which must be reserved on Ticket Tailor- linked here https://www.tickettailor.com/events/nationalarchivesireland/1280018