Established in 1976 by Edward McParland and Nicholas Robinson, the Irish Architectural Archive collects and preserves the records of Irish architecture – from the earliest structures to contemporary buildings – and makes these freely available for consultation.

To achieve its core objectives, the IAA acquires records relating to Irish architecture, architects and buildings, preserves those records by housing and storing them securely, catalogues the records to facilitate public access and use, and provides that public access directly in its Reading Room in 45 Merrion Square, online via its catalogue, and through its exhibitions programs and related activities.