The township consisted of a number of distinct areas: Ballsbridge, Donnybrook, Sandymount, Irishtown and Ringsend.

The estate had a great deal of influence on the activities of the commissioners, and also made donations of land for the use of the township.

This influence largely ended when a more democratically elected urban district council replaced the commissioners.

[1][2] Pembroke Town Hall was built on Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, and opened in 1880.

The town hall later formed the administrative headquarters of the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee.