Reeling in the Years

The club was founded in 1883 (one of the oldest in Ireland) in Monkstown as the name suggests, but moved to the Sandymount area in 1901 after leasing grounds at Sydney Parade from the Earl of Pembroke.

In the early days the club had a strong military connection. Many of their players were casualties in the Boer War and the First World War, including internationals Ernest Deane, Basil Maclear and Pierce O'Brien-Butler. Links to the military continued after Irish independence and many members of the Defence Forces have represented  the club and Leinster provincial teams with distinction. Sydney Parade has played host to many international Defence forces matches over the years.



Monkstown won the Leinster Senior Cup in 1899 and 1902.

The 90’s was a golden era for the club winning Division 4 of the AIL in 1994 and Division 3 in 1996. The club reached the Leinster Senior Cup final in 1990 narrowly losing out to Wanderers.

Fortunes dipped for a period and Monkstown played in the Leinster League for a number of years. Success came in winning the league in 2006 giving the club a chance to return to the AIL but were beaten by Rainey Old Boys in the ‘helicopter match ‘ playoff.

Fortune favours the brave and after many years of heartbreak Monkstown regained senior status in 2024 and look forward with anticipation for the years ahead.

Monkstown has always been an open and inclusive club and down the years many tremendous characters have played rugby at all levels and built a bond of loyalty that exists to this day