Census of the Diocese of Elphin 1749

Edward Synge (1691-1762), Protestant Bishop of Elphin, arranged to have a census of population undertaken throughout his diocese in 1749.

Arranged by parish and townland, it lists the heads of households, with occupation, religion, the number and religion of their children, plus the number, sex and religion of each of their servants.

Some parishes supply the Christian name of the householder’s wife, others merely phrase the entry as “Peter O’Connor and wife”. All religious and economic classes were covered and the census appears very complete.

The Elphin Census relates only to the following County Sligo parishes which are those in that Diocese, namely:

• Aghanagh

• Ahamlish
• Drumcliffe
• Geevagh
• Riverstown

• Sligo