One Society. One Mission. One Voice
We bring people together across the North West and North Coast of Northern Ireland – and connect this region with the City of London – to strengthen communities, care for shared places and create lasting opportunities.
How We Work
How we plan to make a difference
The Society is one of the UK’s oldest charitable bodies rooted in the Northwest and North Coast of Northern Ireland for over 400 years. We own that history with confidence and use it as a foundation for lasting, generational change.
We invest in people, places and communities supporting early years, waterways, culture and heritage, and applying a lens of reconciliation to all of our work.
Northern Ireland’s peace is unfinished business. Reconciliation does not automatically follow from peace – it must be actively built. Our work contributes to a more cohesive, prosperous and vibrant Northern Ireland, for everyone, across every community. Through grant-making, education, custodianship of the River Bann and our enduring links with the City of London, we work to strengthen the fabric of life in Northern Ireland.
We act as a trusted, neutral convenor – bringing together diverse voices across community, political and sectoral divides to foster honest dialogue, lasting partnerships and shared purpose. We are present, accountable and committed to the communities we serve. We take a long-term approach, recognising that progress is built through trust, partnership and sustained effort. This includes grant funding, alongside wider work to connect people, strengthen partnerships and support community-led activity.
A trusted, neutral convenor
We act as a trusted, neutral convenor — bringing together people, organisations and partners across communities and sectors.
What makes us distinctive is our ability to connect place and partnership. Our work is rooted in the North West and North Coast, and shaped by long-standing relationships with the City of London.
Through this, we connect people, ideas and opportunities across regions — widening access to resources and supporting shared progress.
Our non-political, non-religious position allows us to work across boundaries in ways that are open, constructive and inclusive.
Rooted locally
We work alongside communities across the North West and North Coast of Northern Ireland, supporting activity in towns, villages and coastal areas across the region.
Our long-standing presence means we understand the importance of place — and how shared spaces, local connections and community leadership contribute to lasting change.
Creating lasting impact
We measure our work through the difference it makes in communities — supporting participation, strengthening organisations and improving outcomes for people and place.
Our impact is built in partnership with communities, organisations and volunteers across the region — and through connections that extend beyond it, including links with the City of London.
Our Work
Our 3 strategic goals designed to support our communities
We provide grant funding to support community-led activity aligned to our strategic goals. If you are looking for funding, you can explore current opportunities and how to apply through our Grants section.
Early Years Provision
Waterways & Stewardship
Working with communities and partners to care for rivers, fisheries and shared natural resources.
Culture, Heritage & Reconciliation
Supporting activity that brings people together through participation, creativity and shared use of place.
Recent Grants
Stories from our grant holders
News & Insights
What we are learning along the way
House of Commons Event Highlights Partnership, Research and Community Impact
The Honourable The Irish Society was proud to host a special evening at the House of Commons last week, in partnership with Ulster University, bringing together alumni, partners and stakeholders from across London and Northern...
Supporting Communities at a Time When It Matters Most
The Honourable The Irish Society has made a special grant to Building Community Resource Centre, Ballymoney, to support its Ethnic Communities Programme. This targeted support will help strengthen the Centre’s work with ethnic minority communities,...
The Society Outlines its Future Plans.
Stakeholders were recently updated on the Society’s future plans during the summer visit by trustees. These plans, agreed by trustees, have shaped the Society’s new grants programme and future work plans as well. Please see...