[3] The Irish Hockey Union was founded on 6 February 1893, following a meeting at the Wicklow Hotel.

On 26 January 1895 the Ireland men's national field hockey team played in the first ever international field hockey match when they defeated Wales 3–0 in Rhyl.

The Irish Ladies Hockey Union was established in 1894, following a meeting at Alexandra College.

In March 1896 they hosted the first ever women's international field hockey match when the Ireland women's national field hockey team defeated England 2–0 at Alexandra College.

The merger came about after the International Hockey Federation declared in 1998 that each national member must be governed by just one organisation.