The land, located to the west of Trinity, was sold to the college by Dublin Corporation for the sum of £30 on condition that it be converted for educational use.

The hall having fallen into decay (which the college at the time could not afford to repair), Trinity discontinued its teaching there, causing the corporation to seek that the site revert to their ownership on the grounds that the agreements for its use were not being upheld.

The situation was resolved by John Stearne, a medical doctor and senior fellow at Trinity, who arranged to have the hall repaired without further expense to the college in return for himself being made its president and for the site being redesignated for the sole use of physicians.

At the time of Trinity Hall's establishment, women had to leave the College campus before 6pm, had to wear 'cap and gown' and could not visit private rooms unless accompanied by a chaperon.

[5] Much of the funding came from donations by the Chancellor, Lord Iveagh, and Frederick Purser, a senior fellow, as well as almost all of the fees paid by female Oxford and Cambridge students (the so-called steamboat ladies) for conferral of University of Dublin degrees under the system of ad eundem gradum recognition that exists between the three universities (Oxford and Cambridge not permitting female students to receive degrees for their study at the time).

[6][7] In its early years, under the leadership of the first distinguished warden, Miss E. M. Cunningham, it was run as a strictly female institution providing a sheltered environment for young women students.

A further five acres were acquired in 1966 when the Dublin University Botanic Garden was transferred to part of the grounds of Trinity Hall.

[9] As of 2024, the College has received permission from An Bord Pleanála for a major new development which is scheduled to add over 300 new spaces for students amidst Ireland's ongoing housing crisis.

[9] The apartments are grouped into independent, contained houses, gathered to form open-ended courtyards and landscaped parks.

[15] Oldham House may be used by students as a social space, and also contains a library, a computer rooms, as well as the Warden's Office.

The Warden is primarily responsible for enquiring into any alleged breach of discipline by a student in Trinity Hall and for taking further action in accordance with the College Statutes.

A small number of undergraduates in all years and visiting students will also be considered for accommodation at Trinity Hall.

The Residency Scheme is open to students from across Ireland and abroad who are fluent in Irish and wish to speak the language on a daily basis.