Like several fellow early League of Ireland clubs, such as Fordsons, Jacobs, Midland Athletic and Dundalk, Gate had their origins as a factory or works team.

[4] The prime mover behind forming the club was John Lumsden, then serving as a medical officer at St James's Gate Brewery.

The club first gained national recognition in 1909–10 when they won both the Leinster Senior League title and the Irish Intermediate Cup.

In 1921–22, together with Shelbourne, Bohemians, Jacobs, Frankfort, Olympia, YMCA and Dublin United, Gate became founder members of the League of Ireland.

Gate initially emerged as one of the strongest teams in the league and in their debut season won a treble.

However, when the vote was being taken, the representative for Shamrock Rovers stated, "the St. James's Gate club has not full control over their own finances, as any profit made during the season goes to the Guinness Athletic Union and is therefore lost to football."

[8] Gate originally played their home games at Bellevue Lodge by the Grand Canal near Inchicore.