The men's event was part of the pre-open era tour from inception until 1967.

The men's edition was played until 1979, and the women's ended in 1983 when they both ceased to part of the top level world tennis circuit.

The Irish Championships were first held in June 1879, two years after Wimbledon started.

Prior to the creation of the International Lawn Tennis Federation and the establishment of its world championship events in 1913 it was considered by players and historians one of the four most important tennis tournaments to win.

George Whiteside Hillyard writing his book Forty Years of First-class Lawn Tennis emphasising the importance of this tournament: To win the Irish Championship was looked upon as quite on a par with winning at Wimbledon, and justly so:The tournament changed its name to the Irish Open in 1972 and again it moved location to Appian Way, Dublin where it remained for the duration of its run.