The Irish Georgian Society is dedicated to protecting and fostering an appreciation for Ireland’s rich architectural heritage and decorative arts, including its gardens and designed landscapes.
Founded in 1958 by Desmond and Mariga Guinness to safeguard buildings of architectural distinction across Ireland, the Irish Georgian Society is a registered charitable organization in the United States.
It supports conservation projects throughout Ireland, funds scholarships in Irish history and art (including for American students wishing to travel to Ireland for hands-on research), organizes traditional building skills workshops for craftsmen, and undertakes major restoration initiatives.
Among its many achievements are the restoration of Castletown House in Co. Kildare, one of Ireland’s most architecturally important buildings, and the transformation of the City Assembly House in Dublin, now the Society’s headquarters and a thriving center for exhibitions and cultural programs.
Click here to find out how you can become a member of the Irish Georgian Society. Use code “CENTRAL25” to get 25% off your first Individual or Family annual membership!
Castletown House – The Society’s first restoration project (Credit: Anne Brady)
The Society’s work is supported by a vibrant network of regional chapters in the United States, including Boston, Chicago, New York, Naples, and Palm Beach. Through membership, special events, and curated tours, these chapters connect supporters in the U.S. and Ireland in shared efforts to protect Ireland’s historic places.
Desmond Guinness at Leixlip Castle, Co Kildare
One of the Society’s most significant current undertakings is the restoration of the Old Yacht Club building in Cobh, Co. Cork. Once the clubhouse of the Royal Cork Yacht Club (the oldest yacht club in the world, dating back to 1720), the building now houses the Sirius Arts Centre, which provides vital cultural and community programming for the people of Cobh.
After learning the Arts Centre lacked the resources to maintain the historic building, the Society mobilized its supporters, raising more than $600,000 from U.S. members over the past 18 months to save it from decline.
Mr. Glen Barry, Chairman of the Sirius Arts Centre, told us, “It simply would not have been possible to deliver on this important conservation work without the generosity and commitment of the Irish Georgian Society in the United States… I hope their members and donors in America take pleasure in the knowledge that this wonderful building restoration is a gift for Cobh and those who visit the Sirius for generations to come.”
Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh, Co Cork
Throughout the year, the Irish Georgian Society hosts lectures and events in the U.S. featuring expert speakers from Ireland and leads annual tours to significant buildings, private homes, and gardens across the country. American Members also enjoy free or reduced admission to many heritage sites and museums across Ireland.
Irish Georgian Society event
Join the Irish Georgian Society today and be part of the effort to preserve Ireland’s architectural treasures, landscapes, and artistic legacy. Use the code “CENTRAL25” to get 25% off your first Individual or Family annual membership. For more information, check out their website. You can also follow them on Instagram.
