The Irish Georgian Society Is Ireland

What The Irish Georgian Society Is Ireland does

The Irish Georgian Society, founded in 1958 and headquartered in Dublin's restored City Assembly House on South William Street, is a registered Irish charity (Irish Georgian Foundation, Charity Number 20011505, CHY 6372) that promotes and protects Ireland's architectural heritage and decorative arts. Its core programs include the Conservation Grants Programme (c. 180 projects supported with over €1.6m in grants since 2000), the annual peer-reviewed Irish Architectural & Decorative Studies journal (in continuous publication since 1958), the Conservation Education Programme, the Theses Register and Traditional Building Skills Register, and two annual research awards (Desmond Guinness Scholarship, ~€2,000; John Maiben Gilmartin Award, ~€5,000). The Society operates through chapters in Dublin, London, Cork, Birr/Midlands, Limerick, and the USA.

The business model is diversified across recurring and transactional streams: annual membership subscriptions, tax-deductible donations and legacy bequests, event fees (individual lectures €15, day tours €25–€35, visits €25–€80, international tours €245), venue hire at the City Assembly House, and shop sales of publications and heritage merchandise via Shopify. Funding is augmented by contributions from international chapters (IGS London, IGS Inc USA) and by grants from government partners including the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Heritage Council, Dublin City Council, and the National Built Heritage Service, as well as from foundations such as the Jerome L. Greene Foundation and The Ireland Funds. The Society's go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, combining an extensive in-person programme (lectures, tours, conferences) with digital channels (Mailchimp newsletter, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X). The organization is non-profit, with 1–10 employees, and operates across Ireland, the UK, and the United States.

Name

The Irish Georgian Society Is Ireland

Legal name

Irish Georgian Foundation operating as Irish Georgian Society

Website

https://igs.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Irish Georgian Society is a Dublin-based charitable organization, founded in 1958, that protects Ireland's architectural heritage through conservation grants, peer-reviewed scholarship, educational programming, and a membership and donor-supported events programme, serving members, heritage building owners, scholars, and event hirers across Ireland, the UK, and the USA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heritage Conservation Services

NAICS

Historical Sites (712120), Historical Sites (71212), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

akta.pro primary industry

Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation (BPAGAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI), Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC), Iconic Architecture & Signature Buildings (Cathedrals, Palaces, Castles) (THAJACAE)

Keywords

• Heritage conservation services
• Architectural preservation programs
• Historic building grants
• Cultural heritage education
• Membership conservation society

Headquarters

HQ city

Dublin

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Others, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from supporters who wish to support the Society's work and enhance their interest in Ireland's past.
2. Donations and Tax-Deductible Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from supporters and bequests/legacy gifts.
3. IGS Shop Sales: Online shop sales including journals, books, and heritage-related merchandise through shop.igs.ie.
4. Event Fees: Revenue from events including lectures, tours, weekend trips, and conferences with varying price points.
5. Venue Hire: Revenue from hiring the City Assembly House as an event and exhibition venue.
6. Conservation Grants: Grants awarded to building owners for conservation works, funded by IGS London, IGS Inc (USA), and funds raised in Ireland. The society has awarded over €1.6m in grants since 2000.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Irish Georgian Society preserves and promotes Ireland's architectural heritage and decorative arts through conservation grants (over €1.6m awarded to approximately 180 projects since 2000), peer-reviewed academic publications (Irish Architectural & Decorative Studies journal), scholarships, conservation education seminars, and an extensive member events programme. It also operates the restored City Assembly House as a venue, an online heritage publications shop, and a Traditional Building Skills Register connecting historic building owners with qualified conservation craftspeople.

Product overview

The Irish Georgian Society operates as a membership-based heritage preservation organization offering a suite of interconnected programs and services focused on Ireland's architectural heritage and decorative arts. Core offerings include the Conservation Grants Programme supporting approximately 180 heritage conservation projects since 2000, the annual Irish Architectural & Decorative Studies peer-reviewed journal, and two research awards (Desmond Guinness Scholarship ~€2,000 and John Maiben Gilmartin Award ~€5,000). The Society provides educational programming through its Conservation Education Programme and maintains academic resources including a Theses Register and Traditional Building Skills Register. Members receive access to an extensive events programme featuring lectures, architectural tours, and exclusive access to historic properties. The Society operates the IGS Shop for publications and merchandise, offers venue hire at the restored City Assembly House, and provides a members-only Private Portal for governance documents. The organization is supported by international chapters in London, USA, Cork, Birr/Midlands, and Limerick.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IGS Journal: The Journal of the Irish Georgian Society, a peer-reviewed periodical focused on Irish architecture and the decorative arts.
• IGS Shop
• City Assembly House

Products and services

• Membership Program Annual membership offering access to the Society's events, lectures, tours, publications, and conservation activities. Open to all who wish to support the Society's work and enhance their interest in Ireland's past.
• Conservation Grants Programme Financial support programme providing grants for conservation works to buildings of significant architectural merit throughout Ireland. Since 2000, has supported approximately 180 projects with over €1.6m in grants awarded.
• Irish Architectural & Decorative Studies Journal Annual peer-reviewed journal focusing on Irish architecture and decorative arts. Available for purchase via the online shop with free PDF articles from back issues on igsjournal.ie.
• Desmond Guinness Scholarship

Quantifiable outcome

• c. 180 conservation projects supported with over €1.6m in grants since 2000
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Meath County Council (Conservation Officer)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Local authority conservation support, with Conservation Officer Jill Chadwick promoting the Built Heritage Investment Scheme for the Agher Church window conservation project.
• Dublin City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDublin City Council has been an essential partner in the restoration of the City Assembly House, working in partnership with the IGS on the Preserving the Past Building the Future campaign.
• National Built Heritage ServicemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with IGS on the Theses Register academic resource tool, providing support for the centralized database of Irish theses and dissertations relating to architecture.
• University College DublincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution for the Theses Register, contributing dissertations from the School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy, School of Art History and Cultural Policy, and Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering.
• Trinity College DublincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution contributing to the Theses Register from the Department of History of Art and Architecture and School of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering.
• Queen's University BelfastcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution contributing to the Theses Register from the School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering.
• University of LimerickcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution contributing to the Theses Register from the College of Humanities, Department of History.
• University College CorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution contributing to the Theses Register from the Faculty of Arts and Celtic Studies.
• National College of Art and DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution contributing to the Theses Register from the School of Visual Culture.
• University of MaynoothcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution contributing to the Theses Register, specifically the M.A. in Historic Irish Houses programme.
• York Glaziers TrustmajorTechnology or IntegrationUK-based conservation organization that undertook the conservation of the Thomas Jervais window at Agher Church, Co. Meath, due to lack of suitable Irish-based expertise. Worked with Meath-born conservator Emma Newman.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• An Taisce: Ireland's oldest environmental and built heritage charity, operating conservation grants, advocacy, and education programmes that directly overlap with IGS's preservation mission.
• The Georgian Group (UK): UK charity dedicated to preserving Georgian buildings and landscapes, the closest international peer by architectural focus and membership-based conservation advocacy model.
• Architectural Heritage Fund: UK charity providing grants and loans for the repair and reuse of historic buildings, directly comparable to IGS's Conservation Grants Programme.
• Irish Heritage Trust: Charity that acquires and conserves heritage properties across Ireland, sharing IGS's mission to protect historic buildings and provide public access.
• The Victorian Society: UK-based charity championing Victorian and Edwardian architecture through campaigns, grants, and education, mirroring IGS's membership-driven heritage advocacy approach.
• Heritage Council: Ireland's statutory body for heritage, providing grants, policy advice, and public engagement on built heritage — a primary IGS partner and functional peer in the conservation ecosystem.
• SAVE Britain's Heritage: UK heritage campaign organization that fights to preserve historic buildings from demolition and inappropriate development, paralleling IGS's planning advocacy role.
• Historic Houses (UK): UK membership association representing independently owned historic houses and gardens, sharing IGS's role connecting owners of heritage properties with conservation resources and public engagement.

Broad incumbents

• National Trust (UK): Much larger UK heritage charity operating properties, membership, and conservation programmes; a scaled incumbent comparable in mission but broader in scope and resources.
• Royal Irish Academy: Ireland's premier learned institution supporting research in sciences, humanities, and social sciences, including architectural history — a broader scholarly peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/IrishGeorgian
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/IrishGeorgianSociety
• Facebookfacebook.com/Irish.Georgian.Society
• Instagraminstagram.com/irishgeorgiansociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/irish-georgian-society

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Irish Georgian Society Is Ireland