[1][2] It had been preceded by other collective bodies including the Guild of Merchants, which dated from the mediaeval period, and the Ouzel Galley Society, established at the beginning of the 18th century.

Dublin Chamber's formation followed a weakening of the merchant guild system which left an opening for bodies which advocated free trade.

Much of the focus of the organisation in its early years was on abolishing impositions and opposing restrictions on export trade.

[5] The creation of Dublin Chamber led to the formation of other chambers of commerce around Ireland, including Waterford (1787),[6] Limerick (1805),[7] Cork (1819),[8] and Londonderry (1885).

[citation needed] In 1996, Mary Finan was appointed president of the Chamber, the first woman to hold the position.