We have described the operation of modern planning in Ireland in an earlier article (Bartley and Waddington, 2000). Here we track the evolution of the Irish planning system and identify some of its links with the U.K. system. We sketch the political and economic background in Ireland against which the modern form of compulsory planning was introduced. This provides a useful context for understanding the reasons for and timing of the introduction of mandatory planning to Ireland. We then examine the experience of planning in Dublin as a case study to illustrate the subsequent trajectory of Irish planning. A future article will analyse the 'problems' associated with contemporary planning in Ireland.