Arthur Guinness acquired the Zetland Hotel in Connemara in 1952. The directors of the company wished to improve the local fisheries there but found that basic information needed was not available because fundamental research had not proceeded at that time.

The company approached the Minister for Agriculture and it was agreed to set up the "The Salmon Research Trust for Ireland". The first task was to choose a suitable research location. The Burrishoole river system was at that time in the ownership of Major C.W. Roberts who agreed to participate and the trust entered into a fee arrangement with Roberts. In 1965 the company purchased the fishing rights from Roberts.

In 1956 rearing ponds were erected at Treenlaur and in 1957 the Farran Laboratory was built. This laboratory was called after George Phillip Farran, chief inspector of fisheries from 1938 - 1946.

In 1958 the mill race at furnace was developed. All fish are diverted into holding tanks where they are examined, counted and tagged with a minimum of handling.

On the Lettermagheragh side the salmon leap was also developed for fish counting and examination.

As the years have gone on the scale of the work has developed. General biological survey work in the river system, research into eels, peat silt research and general landscape awareness surveys are part of the ongoing work of the laboratory.