About & Governance

The Honourable The Irish Society is a long-established charity working today to support communities and shared places across the North West and North Coast of Northern Ireland.

We are also a connector — strengthening relationships and opportunities between this region and the City of London through long-standing links and partnerships.

We focus on practical public benefit: enabling community-led work, supporting collaboration and managing assets — including property and fisheries — with a long-term stewardship mindset.

Our role today

We work alongside communities, local organisations, partners and institutions to support shared goals.

We do not deliver services directly. Instead, we invest in people and organisations, support partnerships and help create the conditions for long-term progress.

Our work is expressed through strategic goals, grants and stewardship of shared assets, with decisions guided by public benefit and responsibility for place.

Our history

Our history extends back over four centuries and is closely connected to the development of the North West of Northern Ireland.

We acknowledge that this history is complex and, at times, contested. Today, we focus on our role as a modern charitable organisation — using our resources, relationships and responsibilities to support communities and contribute to shared futures.

Values and approach

Our work is guided by core principles:
Respect and inclusivity
Integrity and accountability
Working in partnership
Taking a long view
Responsible care of shared assets

These principles shape how we work across all areas and help ensure consistency between strategy, programmes and day-to-day activity.

Governance

The Society is governed by a Court of Trustees, supported by committees and advisory structures.

Trustees are drawn from the City of London Corporation and provide oversight, accountability and strategic direction.

The Society also works with a Grants Committee comprising representatives from local authorities, ensuring decision-making reflects local context and community priorities.

How decisions are made

Decisions are taken through a combination of trustee oversight, committee structures and local input.

This approach balances strategic direction with local knowledge and helps ensure resources are used responsibly in line with charitable purpose and community need.