Protestant Population Decline in Southern Ireland, 1911–1926

The sharp fall in the Protestant population of southern Ireland during the intercensal period 1911–26 has become something of a hot topic in Irish history circles with causes being proposed that range from ‘widespread driving out’ to long-term infertility. This paper discusses the differing reasons for Protestant decline put forward by academics and looks at the evidence for and against the various theses. Census reports for the 1871–1911 period are used to question theories of comparatively high long-term Protestant natural decline. Detailed analysis of information from the 1911 census, now available online, and 1926 census reports is used to cast new light on the nature of 1911–26 Protestant decline. The primary conclusion is that exceptionally high levels of emigration of civilian Protestants was the primary cause of decline.