Historical population of Ireland

Although these figures demonstrate significant growth over recent years, the population of Ireland remains below the record high of 8,175,124 in the 1841 census.

[5] In 1851, as the Great Famine was ending, the population of Ireland had dropped to 6.5 million people.

The statistics also illustrate a massive population shift from the west to the east of the country and increasing urbanisation.

The areas around Dublin and Belfast have seen population growth, while Connacht has become depopulated.

[11] (Measured in 1000s, rounded) Figures not in bold are for the Republic of Ireland counties of Ulster only.