Similar to the British Landmark Trust (founded in 1965), it is a registered charity which renovates buildings of historic interest and makes them available for holiday rental, while collating and sharing information on construction and restoration techniques.

[4] After three years in operation, the charity opened its first property, Wicklow Head Lighthouse, which it had acquired as a hollow shell.

It characterises itself as an educational trust, making the historic buildings accessible to the public, and documenting and sharing original construction techniques and modern restoration approaches.

[11][14] Historian Nicholas Robinson (previously associated with the Irish Architectural Archive) was the first chairperson of the organisation, and was the president of the trust as of 2017.

Remaining funding came from a combination of the rental income of the portfolio of properties and private fundraising (a number of major Irish businesses are credited as donors).

The scheme, which does not involve membership of the charitable companies, primarily comprises three levels of regular donation and direct benefits include advance notice of special offers, and member-only viewing and educational events.

[9] As of 2018, the trust's 32 properties,[9] of which 31 are available to rent, include a number of towers, gate lodges, thatched cottages, castles, lighthouses and at least one schoolhouse.