The 2022 census of Ireland was held on Sunday, 3 April 2022. It was organised by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and reported a total population of 5,149,139, or an 8.1% increase since the prior 2016 census . It is the highest population recorded in a census since 1841 and the first time the population exceeded five million since 1851. The census results were released gradually between May and December 2023 in a series of reports organised either as summaries or in-depth results of specific themes, like age, ethnicity, or religion.
31-689: The Inisheer , Inis Oírr or Fardurris Point Lighthouse , is an active 19th century lighthouse located on the island of Inisheer , the smallest of the Aran Islands , in County Galway , Ireland. It marks the south-eastern entrance to Galway bay and the port of Galway known as the South Sound, with a red sector of the light marking the Finnis Rock. The Eeragh Lighthouse which marks the North Sound entrance to
62-410: A broad central black band. The two keeper's houses are built close by, but the light is now maintained by an attendant living some distance away, who monitors the equipment via a radio link. With a focal height of 34 metres (112 ft) above the sea, the light from the first order Fresnel lens could be seen for 20 nautical miles in the case of white light and 16 nautical miles for the red light. With
93-455: A burial site called Cnoc Raithní was discovered which dates back to 1500 BC. This is the earliest evidence of human settlement of the island. Saint Caomhán , the patron saint of Inisheer, according to some traditions, was the elder brother of Kevin of Glendalough . The ruins of Teampall Chaomháin in Inisheer cemetery have to be uncovered annually as the floor of it is well below the level of
124-484: A first order optic, supplied by Chance Brothers of Birmingham that emitted a fixed white light with a red sector signalling the Finnis reef. Daniel Crowe & Sons of Dublin constructed both lighthouses and associated buildings, the cost for Eeragh was £15,126.1s.7d. (equivalent to £1,822,660 as of 2023) with Inisheer being £14,252.2s.4d (equivalent to £1,717,345 as of 2023) In 1913, an incandescent lamp powered by paraffin
155-584: A visit to the island in the 1970s. Inis Oírr was discussed at length in the work of cultural anthropologist John Cowan Messenger under the name Inis Beag . 2022 census of Ireland A census was originally planned for 18 April 2021, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic . On 15 September 2020, the Irish government postponed the planned 2021 census on advice from the CSO, citing concerns for public health,
186-720: The Census of Ireland. Census data in Ireland before 1841 are not considered complete and/or reliable. The island is reached by ferry from Rossaveal in Connemara and Doolin in County Clare as well as from the other Aran Islands. There is also a regional airport on each island which is served from Connemara Regional Airport by AerArann. A pier was opened in Doolin in June 2015 for commercial ferries serving
217-649: The Inisheer Rocket Crew , rescued the entire crew from the stricken vessel using a breeches buoy ; an event captured in a pictorial display at the National Maritime Museum in Dún Laoghaire . The following sites on the island are designated as National Monuments : The table below reports data on Inis Oírr's population taken from Discover the Islands of Ireland (Alex Ritsema, Collins Press, 1999) and
248-512: The Viséan period (Lower Carboniferous), formed as sediments in a tropical sea approximately 350 million years ago, and compressed into horizontal strata with fossil corals , crinoids , sea urchins and ammonites . Glaciation following the Namurian phase facilitated greater denudation. The result is that Inisheer is one of the finest examples of a Glacio- Karst landscape in the world. The effects of
279-498: The last glacial period (the Midlandian) are most in evidence, with the island overrun by ice during this glaciation. The impact of earlier Karstification (solutional erosion) has been eliminated by the last glacial period, so any Karstification now seen dates from approximately 10,000 years ago and the island Karst is thus recent. Solutional processes have widened and deepened the limestone pavement. Pre-existing lines of weakness in
310-458: The 14th-century ' O'Brien's Castle ' are sited near the island's highest point. In 1582 the O'Flahertys of Connemara captured it. Today O'Flahertys still live on the island. In 1652 it was given to the Cromwellian invasion force and the O'Flahertys were defeated. They saw no use for it and the castle was partially dismantled, it has been unoccupied since. The cargo vessel MV Plassy , which
341-462: The Arans. Caomhán of Inis Oírr is the island's patron saint . There are five small settlements: Baile Thiar, Chapeltown (Baile an tSéipéil), Castle Village (Baile an Chaisleáin), Baile an Fhormna and Baile an Lorgain. The island was originally called Árainn Airthir , and later Inis Oirthir , which are thought to mean "eastern Aran" and "eastern island" respectively. The second element is also found in
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#1732868916399372-564: The bay on the north-western side of the islands, was also constructed at the same time. Inisheer and Eeragh both became operational in 1857. The first lighthouse on the Aran Islands was built in 1818 on Inishmore near Dun Oghil, but it became apparent that it was poorly positioned. Firstly, because it could not be seen at the hazardous ends of the Aran Islands chain, where the North and South Sound approaches were located, and secondly, its location on
403-432: The gentian and orchids. Notable insects present include the butterfly the pearl-bordered fritillary ( Boloria euphrosyne ), brown hairstreak ( Thecla betulae ), marsh fritillary ( Euphydryas aurinia ) and wood white ( Leptidea sinapis ); the moths, the burren green ( Calamia tridens ), Irish annulet ( Gnophos dumetata ) and transparent burnet ( Zygaena purpuralis ); and the hoverfly Doros profuges . In 1885
434-426: The health of CSO staff, and the census response rate, all pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland . The CSO hired 5,100 enumerators, supported by 466 field supervisors, who reported in turn to 46 regional supervisors. Preparation of the 2022 census form began in 2017 with a public consultation process drawing input from various governmental departments , interest groups , and academics . The consultation
465-695: The highest point of the island also meant it could be obscured in poor weather conditions. Requests from the Revenue Commissioners to the Ballast Board, the predecessor of the Commissioners of Irish Lights to relocate the light went unheeded. But in 1850 the Galway Harbour Commissioners asked the Board to construct a new lighthouse at the north-west end of the islands. To meet this request, it
496-451: The installation of the LED light, this has reduced to 18 and 11 nautical miles respectively. The light characteristic is now slightly different from that of 1913, the light emits a white or red light, depending on the direction, in isophase of 12 seconds, that is, it is illuminated for six seconds and darkened during other six. It emits red light in the sector between 245 ° and 269 °. In addition,
527-437: The island. Islanders travel by foot or car around the island. Tourists can avail of tours/taxi trips by horse and trap. Irish is still today the daily language of the approximately 260 permanent residents. In addition, many school pupils from the mainland come to the island to learn Irish in an environment where it is a living language in the local college, Coláiste Laichtín during the months of June, July and August. Some of
558-533: The lighthouse is equipped with a radar or RACON beacon that emits the letter K in Morse code with a range of 13 nautical miles. The lighthouse tower and the two keeper’s houses are all listed within the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage , where it is noted "This dramatically sited lighthouse is a masterpiece of ashlar limestone construction". Located at the southern point of the island on Fardurris point,
589-443: The limestone sea cliffs have attracted interest from rock-climbers , though the bigger islands of Inis Mór and Inis Meáin are more popular. Diving is possible. The island, including shots of the wrecked MV Plassy , is used to represent the fictional Craggy Island in the opening credits of the 1990s sitcom Father Ted . Inisheer is also the name of a well-known slow air written by Thomas Walsh from Dublin, after
620-570: The names Inishsirrer and Orior . According to Séamas Ó Murchú, the current official name, Inis Oírr , was brought into use by the Ordnance Survey Ireland . He says it may be a compromise between Inis Oirthir and the traditional local name Inis Thiar . The island is geologically an extension of The Burren . The terrain of the island is composed of limestone pavements with crisscrossing cracks known as "grikes", leaving isolated rocks called "clints". The limestones date from
651-436: The options 'male' or 'female'. The decision was criticised by multiple LGBT groups and advocates. The preliminary results were released on 23 June 2022, showing a national population of five million for the first time since 1851. Results published on 30 May 2023 found that Catholicism dropped to 69%, down from 79% in 2016. It also found the average age of the population increased by 1.4 years since 2016, people who speak
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#1732868916399682-541: The rock (vertical joints) contribute to the formation of extensive fissures separated by clints (flat pavement-like slabs). The rock karstification facilitates the formation of subterranean drainage. The island has a temperate climate. Average air temperatures range from 15 °C (59 °F) in July to 6 °C (43 °F) in January. The soil temperature does not usually drop below 6 °C (43 °F). Since grass will grow once
713-643: The sand. In the Middle Ages, the island was ruled by the O'Brien dynasty who provided most of the Kings of Thomond . This rule was exercised before the Anglo-Irish settled in Connacht in the 1230s. The Tribes of Galway paid the O'Briens an annual tribute of twelve tuns of wine "in consideration of their protection and expenses in guarding the bay and harbour of Galway against pirates and coast plunderers." The remains of
744-462: The site and tower are closed apart from the occasional open day. Inisheer Inisheer ( Irish : Inis Oírr [ˈɪnʲɪʃ iːɾˠ] , Inis Thiar [ˈɪnʲɪʃ hiəɾˠ] or Inis Oirthir [ˈɪnʲɪʃ ˈɛɾʲhəɾʲ] ) is the smallest and most easterly of the three Aran Islands in Galway Bay , Ireland . With 343 residents as of the 2022 census , it is second-most populous of
775-450: The temperature rises above 6 °C (43 °F), this means that the island (like the neighbouring Burren ) has one of the longest growing seasons in Ireland, and supports diverse and rich plant growth. Late May is the sunniest time, and also likely the best time to view flowers, with the gentians and avens peaking (but orchid species blooming later). The island supports arctic , Mediterranean and alpine plants side-by-side, due to
806-572: The unusual environment. Like the Burren, the Aran islands are known for their remarkable assemblage of plants and animals. The grikes (crevices) provide moist shelter, thus supporting a wide range of plants including dwarf shrubs. Where the surface of the pavement is shattered into gravel, many of the hardier Arctic or alpine plants can be found. But when the limestone pavement is covered by a thin layer of soil, patches of grass are seen, interspersed with plants like
837-414: Was also the first to include a ' time capsule ' section, offering a space for respondents to write a voluntary message to remain sealed for 100 years due to data protection requirements. In February 2021, the CSO confirmed it was researching possible questions to record gender identities , but that no such question would appear on the 2022 census form, which will only ask respondents for their sex with
868-644: Was determined that the best approach was to construct two lighthouses, one on Inisheer and the other, the Eeragh Lighthouse, on one of the Brannock Islands to the north-west of Inishmore. The design of both lights was carried out by George Halpin Junior with construction starting in 1853. They were commissioned on 1 December 1857, with the Inishmore light being deactivated on the same date. The Inisheer Lighthouse had
899-471: Was installed and its characteristic changed from a fixed light to one that flashed every ten seconds. Inisheer was automated and electrified in 1978, but retained the Chance optics from 1913. In 2014 the optic was replaced by an LED light, with a slightly reduced range. The optic is located at a height of 34 metres (112 ft), within a lantern room at the top of a limestone tower which has been painted white with
930-569: Was organised by the Census Advisory Group between October and November 2017, assessing over 400 submissions which informed a test survey of revised and new questions in September 2018. The consultation process led to the inclusion of 8 new questions, which covered topics like ownership of renewable energy sources, working from home, and smoking habits. Additionally, all 25 questions used in the 2016 and 2011 censuses were revised. The 2022 form
961-454: Was shipwrecked off Inis Oírr on 8 March 1960, has since been thrown above the high tide mark at Carraig na Finise on the island by strong Atlantic waves. The wreck features in the opening credits of the TV show Father Ted . On the night of the wrecking, a young boy on the island spotted the grounded ship and ran to the village, where the alarm was raised. Approximately sixty islanders, including