About

The Irish Literary Society was established in London in 1892. Among its founders were W B Yeats and Douglas Hyde and other leaders of the Irish Literary Revival.

The object of the Society is to promote the appreciation of Irish literature and culture and to provide a forum for intellectual and social activities in connection with these interests.




2022-2023 programme

As more of us are vaccinated now and transmission numbers are significantly reduced we are open to physically present events. We know some of you are still being cautious so would ask that you respect each others need for distance or to wear a mask. 




Member events

We engage with cultural and community organisations for special member-only events. These include visits and talks at galleries, archives and other cultural venues. In the 2022-2023 season we will be arranging archive visits, theatre trips and much more including a series of workshops for members sponsored by Poetry Ireland and delivered by the poets Rosin Tierney and Ian Duhig.


ILS cultural friends


The ILS works with a number of Irish organisations in the UK. We deliver joint lectures every year: the Noel O’Connell lecture with the Irish Texts Society; the Yeats lecture held with the Irish Embassy. 

  • Irish Texts Society
  • Example
  • Irish Cultural Centre
  • Irish in Britain

ILS Supporters


The ILS gratefully acknowledges its funding from the Irish government’s Emigrant Support Programme and support received from our generous hosts The Bloomsbury Hotel.
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