[5] The institute is headquartered on a peninsula at Rinville (Renville), southwest of Oranmore, County Galway, while its Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) is located in Dublin.

The purpose-built headquarters building, which has won several architectural awards,[7][8] houses research laboratories, an auditorium, a marine science library and an office "crescent".

The board appoints the CEO, sets the strategic plan and measurements, the annual budget and other policies, and oversees hiring, public reporting and risk and financial management.

[citation needed] The office of the CEO provides overall direction and co-ordination of foresight, strategic and research planning activities at national and international level.

The team tests aquatic animal samples, as required under EU and national legislation, and supports the aquaculture industry and the inland fisheries sector in maintaining Ireland's superior fish and shellfish health status.

'Food Safety Monitoring' is tasked to ensure that Irish marine fish, shellfish and seafood products remain safe from elevated levels of residues and contaminants.

This information is used to produce the annual 'Stock Book'[25] which is a source of scientific advice to the Irish government and the industry and to support fisheries negotiations with the European Union.

[citation needed] The Ocean Science and Information Services (OSIS) team provide support for national and international marine research programmes in a number of areas.

Both vessels are fitted with scientific instrumentation, laboratories and IT equipment and are used for fisheries research, environmental monitoring, seabed mapping, oceanology, seismic surveys, student training and meteorological investigations.

It is also involved in the establishment of an Irish tide gauge network, ocean modelling, satellite remote sensing and oceanographic support of research programmes related to marine fisheries and environment.