Irish Setters are one of four distinct setter breeds. Setters are reputedly ancient in origin, however the first written reference of a Setter occurred in 1570. The picture to the left—from the 1881 engraving titled "Red Irish Setter" from the French book Les Chiens— shows a Setter crouched in a "set."

Setters were originally bred for finding and pointing game birds in open places. Before the use of guns for hunting, setting dogs would crouch, or set, while a net was flung over the birds. Setters continue to this day to be working gundogs.

By the early 18th century a dog called the setter (probably derived from spaniel, pointer, and possibly a hound breed) had come into existence, and Ireland had its own variety. It is generally accepted that early setters were originally white dogs with large red patches, and through the 1800s, selective breeding produced the solid red dogs we know today. There is an alternative theory that the solid red setter was actually in existance prior to the red and white setter, and that the Irish setter may be the older form.

The first Irish Setters in the Americas were imported from Ireland into the United States in 1875. One of these imports (Ch. Elcho) became the first Irish Setter to earn an American Kennel Club bench championship in 1875. These early dogs were much prized for their hunting ability and were also popular in the breed ring. Most of today's American setters can trace their lineage back to these influential early dogs. While many Irish Setter owners of today do not hunt with their dogs, many Irish Setters retain their strong hunting instincts and working ability. For those who are interested, the online Irish Red Setter Pedigree Collection houses thousands of pedigrees, and can trace the ancestors of many dogs back before 1900.

The American Standard for the Irish Setter calls for a substantial, balanced dog, with a "rolicking personality." Described by artists as the most beautiful of all dogs, these energetic, aristcratic bird dogs are meant to work closely with people. Setters are good natured, and have playful personalities. They are intelligent, and are both clowns and tricksters.