The Irish Society is a unique title for researching the late nineteenth and early twentieth century history of the elite and their activities in Ireland. The weekly paper, which called itself ‘the only society journal in Ireland’, did not publish reports on politics or wider news. Instead, it focused on society events such as engagements and marriages, soirees and parties (including ‘at home’ events of high society such as dinner parties), and the theatre. The Irish Society had heavy coverage of, and much advice regarding, the latest fashions.

Although published in Dublin, the Irish Society also reported on societal news in the provinces such as Cork and Tipperary. The paper’s ‘On Dit’ section covered titbits of gossip in Ireland and abroad, mostly in regards to fashion. It also had many exclusive features including reviews, recipes, and even palmistry.

The paper also featured short stories (‘for travellers by train or tram’) as well as longer serial stories that would be published over several issues.

The pages of Irish Society were peppered with advertisements, mainly for products and events of luxury and leisure and, of course, for fashionable items. Sometimes nearly half of the pages were made up of adverts targeted at the members of high society who would read the Irish Society.