The Society was founded in 1934 to promote the study of the history of Dublin and of Dubliners. The Society's main activities are:

1. Meetings on Wednesday evenings during the autumn in September/October/November and during spring in February/March/April at which Papers are read by members or invited guest speakers. The venue is the Conference Room, Dublin City Library and Archive, 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, at 6pm.

2.Visits to places of historic interest during the months of June to August.

3. Co-operating with other societies interested in the conservation of important buildings and opposing undesirable "developments".

The Society publishes Dublin Historical Record twice yearly.