Our Story

The Irish Heritage Trust is an independent charity established in 2006 to serve as Ireland’s national, independent, heritage property organisation.

We work on the nation’s behalf to conserve, manage, sustainably develop, and interpret built and natural heritage in Ireland.

The Irish Heritage Trust was established to:

Work efficiently to ensure that the Trust’s heritage properties exist on a financially sustainable basis.
Deliver contemporary cultural and economic benefits from these historic properties.
Engage with local communities to produce wider public benefits.

Studies had also highlighted the importance of harnessing the potential of these historic houses and gardens and transforming their roles.

Partnerships and Expansion

In 2015 we started managing Strokestown Park House, Gardens and the National Famine Museum. The Trust was also selected by Teagasc to help revive and regenerate Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum & Gardens.

In addition to taking responsibility for properties, the Irish Heritage Trust has initiated and led innovative projects including the highly successful Dublin Tenement Experience (2013).

Conservation work is underway at our Dublin headquarters, located in the heart of Dublin’s literary quarter at No. 11 Parnell Square East. In partnership with other cultural and heritage bodies, we have undertaken to restore, revive, and enhance this 250-year old building to become a creative public space, as well as a significant cultural hub.

In 2023 the ESB announced plans to partner with the Irish Heritage Trust to develop No. 12 Fitzwilliam Street as a museum.

Our Properties

Thanks for your support

The Irish Heritage Trust is a non-profit organisation. In addition to grant aid from the Irish government, we are fortunate to have received wonderful support from many people across Ireland over the years. Every visit to our properties, membership subscription, volunteering hour, partnership, and donation helps! Each of these contributions helps to support upkeep, development, and community outreach projects across our properties.

We are proud to have proven the validity of the research concepts that led to the Trust’s creation, grateful for the many different kinds of support we receive, and excited about the years ahead.