[2][3] The club was formally founded in 1883 as one of the first 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.

Since Irish independence many servicemen - soldiers, sailors as well as airmen - have turned out for the club and Leinster provincial teams.

The Irish Defence Forces team regularly play their French counterparts at Sydney Parade.

Monkstown has hosted a number of international teams over the years, such as Australia, when they won the World Cup in 1991.

Monkstown won the 2023/24 Leinster Junior 1A League and regained senior status after defeating Bangor in the AIL promotion/relegation playoffs.