4,757,976.

That's the population of Ireland, according to the 2016 Census, the figures from which are released today.

The figure was calculated based on forms filled out on April 24th - the centenary of the Easter Rising.

The number is up by 3.7% compared to the last one.

All but three counties had an increase in their population - with Fingal the highest, at 8.1%.

The three counties to lose population were Donegal, Mayo and Sligo - with Donegal losing 1.5% of its population.

The Census also indicates that the number of vacant housing units in Ireland has fallen - but remains at just under 260,000.

Even when holiday homes are stripped out, the number of vacant homes (which are defined as having a door, a roof and windows) stands at just over 200,000.

Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly filed this report for Today FM's National Lunchtime News: