The Society was formed in 1926 as a branch of the Wesley Historical Society which was founded in 1893. Like the Wesley Historical Society its aims are to promote the study of the history and literature of early Methodism; to accumulate exact knowledge; and to provide a medium of intercourse on all related subjects.
The Irish branch of the Wesley Historical Society changed its name in 2003 to The Wesley Historical Society of Ireland and again in 2010 to The Methodist Historical Society of Ireland.
