The Society

The Society was founded in 1849 in Kilkenny 'to preserve, examine and illustrate all ancient monuments and memorials of the arts, manners and customs of the past, as connected with the antiquities, language, literature and history of Ireland.'

These aims are achieved today through the Society's annual programme of lectures, talks and excursions and by the publication of its journal, received by all members. The Society is actively involved in the preservation of Ireland's national heritage read more...


Breaking News


Heritage Day is Saturday August 28th 2010 and the Society will be participating by opening No. 63 to tours during the day. Click here for a download of details.
Click here to read Past President Con Mannings's review of John Potter, Patterns in Stonework: The Early Church in Britain and Ireland.


Click here to read our latest book review: Benedict O’Sullivan OP (edited by Hugh Fenning OP), Medieval Irish Dominican Studies, reviewed by Colmán Ó Clabaigh OSB.


mp3 podcast of Monday talk September 14th 2009 now available. Click Past Monday talks


Note new online catalogue available on the library page.


Please click here for the updated Lecture Programme and Monday talks for 2010, and for the new list of Excursions.


Forthcoming events



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Monday Talk

6 September 2010
Forests and woods in Anglo-Norman Ireland, 1170 - c.1350.
Dr Peadar Slattery

Thursday Lecture

30 September 2010
Dublin’s Dead Zoo: Museum of a Museum
Nigel Monaghan
Director, Natural History Museum

Please note lectures and talks are held at 7.30 in the Helen Roe Lecture Theatre. The Helen Roe Theatre is located in the basement of 63 Merrion Square. Entrance at street level through gateway


Forthcoming seminars (provisional dates)


Friday 12th November 2010
The Early Church in Ireland in light of recent archaeological excavations