Is Everyone in Ireland Catholic? The 2016 Census Says No

Short answer: No. While Ireland remains majority Catholic, the share has dropped sharply — and diversity is rising.

2016 Census (Latest Comprehensive)

• Roman Catholic: 78.3% (3.7M) — down from 84.2% (2011), 94.9% (1961)
• No Religion: 10.1% (481K) — up from 6% (2011), 0.4% (1961). Fastest growing.
• Church of Ireland (Anglican): 2.7% (126K)
• Islam: 1.3% (63K) — up from 0.1% (1991)
• Orthodox Christian: 1.2% (62K) — Eastern European migration
• Presbyterian: 0.5% (24K)
• Hindu: 0.3% (14K)
• Apostolic/Pentecostal: 0.3% (13K)
• Other stated religions: 3.5%
• Not stated: 2.6%

Drivers of Change

Scandals: Clerical abuse (Ryan, Murphy, Cloyne reports), Magdalene laundries, mother-and-baby homes — shattered institutional trust.
Secularization: Urbanization, education, prosperity correlate with religious decline — standard European trajectory.
Immigration: Non-Catholic migrants (Polish Catholics offset slightly; Africans, Asians, Europeans bring diversity).
Youth: 18–34 "No Religion" ~20%. Rural/elderly remain strongly Catholic.

Northern Ireland (Separate)

2021 Census: Catholic 42.3%, Protestant/Other Christian 37.4%, No Religion 17.4%. First time Catholic > Protestant — but "No Religion" is the growth story.

Constitutional Note

Ireland's Constitution (1937) opens "In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity" — but guarantees freedom of conscience (Art. 44). 2018 referendum removed blasphemy offense. 2018/2019 referendums legalized abortion and divorce — Catholic hierarchy opposed both; voters disagreed.

Ireland is post-Catholic-majority in practice — culturally Catholic, institutionally declining, religiously plural.