Ireland participated in bubble-chamber experiments, and subsequently focused on cosmic-ray physics. An experimental particle physics group was established at University College Dublin in 2002 and has been accepted in both the LHCb and CMS experiments. There is also a theoretical physics group at Trinity College Dublin. Furthermore, Ireland is involved in the ACE and ISOLDE experiments at CERN and University College Cork is collaborating on field monitoring and numerical modelling of tunnel infrastructure at CERN.

Ireland has a strong interest in Grid technology. The Grid-Ireland Operations Centre at Trinity College Dublin is contributing to the data storage and processing for the ATLAS and LHCb experiments.

In January 2016 Ireland notified CERN of its intention to initiate deliberations on potential Associate Membership, and discussions are on-going to this effect.