Clodagh Finn: What the 1926 census reveals about early independent Ireland

Archive dive reveals how adverts, hardship, culture and community defined daily life in newly independent Ireland

Katharine Tynan's 'The briar Bush Maid' received an enthusiastic review in the Cork Examiner.

Top marks to Thompson’s bread for its advert on this day, 100 years ago, when the very first census forms were distributed to a newly independent Ireland.

It read: “When filling up the Census Form you are earnestly requested to omit the fact that you know Thompson’s bread is the best. The purpose of the Census is to obtain unknown information — not accepted facts”.