During the Ottoman period, Christians constituted the majority in the village (71%). However, in the first 50 years of the British period their numbers stagnated. In 1921, the population ratio of the village was almost 50:50. Due to undetermined factors, between 1931 and 1960, the Greek Cypriot growth rate of the population was again slower than that of their Turkish Cypriot neighbors. In the 1960 census, Turkish Cypriots were the majority in the village (almost 65%).
Displacement:
In August 1974, almost all the Greek Cypriots fled from the advancing Turkish army. However, five of them managed to remain in the village until November 1976, when they relayed a “request” to UNFICYP to be taken to the other side of the Green Line. Currently, like the rest of the displaced Greek Cypriots, the Greek Cypriots of Agia Irini are scattered throughout the island’s south. The displaced population of Agia Irini can be estimated to be around 130, since its Greek Cypriot population was estimated to be 126 in 1973.
Current Inhabitants:
Currently the village is mainly inhabited by its original Turkish Cypriot villagers. However, during the last ten years, some Turkish Cypriots from other villages and a few Turkish Cypriot returnees from the United Kingdom have bought property and settled here. The 2006 Turkish Cypriot census puts the village’s population to 597.
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