Population rises by almost 100k boosted by immigrants and returning Irish

When it came to Irish people departing for pastures new abroad, the CSO said the 12-month period to April this year saw one of the highest tranches in recent years. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

The largest yearly population rise in 15 years took place earlier this year, propelled by a 16-year high of immigrants including returning Irish, latest data show.

According to figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), in the 12 months to the end of April this year, Ireland's population rose by 97,600, which was the largest 12-month increase since 2008.