Irreligion in the Republic of Ireland

The percentage of respondents who said that they had no religion in the census in Ireland in 2011.

According to the 2011 Irish Census, 6% of Irish citizens are irreligious.[1] Ireland has been traditionally devoutly Catholic throughout most of its modern history.[2] This number is thought to be higher due to citizens describing themselves as "cultural Catholics".[3] Religion is declining in Ireland.[4][5][6]

A 2006 Dentsu poll found that 7% of Ireland had no religion. According to Greeley (2003), 5% of those in Ireland do not believe in God, but only 2% accept the self-identification of “atheist.” According to Ingelhart et al. (2004) and Davie (1999), 4% of the Irish do not believe in God.[7]

In a 2007-2008 Gallup Poll, 42% of Ireland answered no to the question "Does religion occupy an important place in your life?" and in the 2011 Gallup, 53% of Ireland answered no.

A 2010 Bishops Conference survey found that 10.1% of Irish Roman Catholics did not believe in god.[8]

According to a 2012 WIN-Gallup International poll, Ireland had the 2nd highest decline in religiosity from 69% in 2005 to 47% in 2012, while those who considered themselves not a religious person increased 25% in 2005 to 44% in 2012. The poll also showed that 10% of Ireland now consider themselves convinced atheists, which is a vast increase from 2005.[9]

References


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