Ratio of Catholics lowest in 50 years as people with ‘no religion’ up 400%

The proportion of the population that is Catholic is at its lowest since 1961, while that with no religion has increased by 400% in the past 20 years.

The latest Census 2011 data released by the CSO shows that 84% of the population now identify themselves as Catholic.

The numbers began falling in the 1960s and 1970s, accelerating in the 1980s. The data shows the numbers of Catholics have fallen in every diocese in the past five years.