Census shows the population of Ireland has risen to its highest level since 1841

Census time capsule from Michelle Conaghan, Co Sligo.

Ireland's population is now at its highest level since the Famine, rising 7.6% since 2016 to 5.1m last April and with every county seeing population increases, particularly in Leinster.

It means the Dáil will have to add 11 or more TDs to keep up with the population increase.