The IMFHA was founded on the 4th April 1859, the objective being to form a body to govern all hunting disputes, to encourage the preservation of foxes and to deal with other matters related to foxhunting in Ireland.

An initial set of rules was adopted at a general meeting at the RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin on August 26th 1891. In the century that followed, the Constitution and Powers of the IMFHA have been altered to reflect the changing environment in which hunting is conducted and to reflect best practice. It is constantly evolving to meet the new challenges which face the Association. The Constitution and Rules of the Association were revised in 1999. They outline the Duties of Members of the IMFHA, the Responsibilities of a Master or a Joint-Master and the Responsibilities of a Hunt Committee and also provide a framework for dealing with any disputes that may arise between hunts.

Each hunt club has its own constitution and rules to ensure that the committee is democratically elected and that hunt business is properly conducted. Hunt committees have the power to appoint a Master or Joint-Masters. The function of a Master or Joint-Masters is to organise and run the hunt country during the season and to part-finance the activities of the Hunt Club. He or she is both manager and benefactor. On his or her appointment as a MFH, the incumbent agrees to assign a declaration binding them to abide by the Rules of the Association and the decisions of the Committee.