The club was founded in 1885 by Irish National League members, bringing GAA to Athlone.

Irish rugby international Robbie Henshaw played senior and underage football for Athlone.

John Deacy, a defender on the 1965 Westmeath Senior Championship winning team, received his medal after a 55-year delay in October 2020.

[3] The club caters for both football and hurling with the hurlers playing under the Southern Gaels banner.

[2] [2] Following Athlone GAA's winning of the Westmeath County Championship in 1984, it was decided to send the team to the United States in 1985.