The winners of the competition will earn spots in both the second qualifying round[1] of the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League and the 2012 Setanta Sports Cup.
A total of 45 teams competed in the 2011 competition which commenced on the weekend ending on 20 March 2011.
The calendar for the 2011 FAI Cup, as announced by Football Association of Ireland.
The draw for the fourth round was made on 13 July 2011 on Monday Night Soccer.
The draw for the Quarter-finals, conducted by Vice President of FAI, Tony Fitzgerald and Women's Ireland national team manager Susan Ronan, took place on 29 August 2011 on Monday Night Soccer.