[2] It was launched in December 2002[1] and publishes a newsletter called Skeptical Times.

[3] The ISS is a member of the European Council of Skeptical Organisations (ECSO).

[4] The organisation regularly sponsors lectures on a variety of topics including self-awareness,[5] tolerance,[6] evolution[7] and popularisation of science.

[10] Spokespersons from the organisation such as its founding member Paul O'Donoghue (a clinical psychologist) are often quoted on paranormal and pseudoscience topics such as homeopathy,[11] magnet therapy,[12] Spiral Dynamics[13] and UFOs[14] in the Irish press.

Paul O'Donoghue has commented on the amount of coverage alternative medicine receives in the media.