About the Irish Georgian Society London

The Society's London Chapter was established in April 1971 when Kevin O'Shea, a Waterford-born architect based in London, contacted Desmond Guinness about the idea. The first general meeting was called on the 23rd of July, 1971, in the Irish Club on Eaton Square. Meetings would be held here for more than 30 years until the club was sold in 2003. International tours began in 1974. A touring partnership with the 20 Ghost Club was started in 1978 and remains one of London Chapter's most popular events.

The London Chapter was started without any funding and to this day remains entirely dependent on voluntary endeavour, is financially independent, with fundraising coming from events, memberships, donations or bequests, and profits being passed back to the Society in Ireland. Between 1997 and 2005, the London Chapter contributed just over £58,000 to the Society in Ireland, from events alone. In 2014, the London Chapter began to fund the Irish Georgian Society’s Conservation Grant Scheme and since that time has awarded nearly €300,000 towards conservation projects in Ireland.

Events

The London Chapter organises a program of events throughout the year with tours, lectures and parties that are open to all members. Information is regularly updated in the Events section of the website and is sent directly to members twice a year.


Projects supported

Through funds raised at its events and through generous bequests, IGS London has supported the Irish Georgian Society’s Conservation Grants Programme since 2014. This scheme provides financial support for conservation works to structures of significant architectural merit with the aim of supporting a number of small conservation projects.

Information on the projects supported annually since 2014 is available in the following articles from the IGS Review magazine.

Conservation Grants Scheme 2021

Conservation Grant Scheme 2019

Conservation Grant Scheme 2018

Conservation Grant Scheme 2017

Conservation Grant Scheme 2016

Conservation Grant Scheme 2015

Conservation Grant Scheme 2014

Join today

Membership of IGS London is open to anyone with an interest in Ireland’s architectural heritage and decorative arts and you can join online today (Click here).

IGS London contact details

Name: Tina Graham
Email: graham302@btinternet.com