To celebrate our 150^th Season a history of the club has been written by Dr Charles Ivar McGrath (Associate Professor, UCD School of History).

Lansdowne FC is one of the most iconic Rugby Clubs in Ireland. Based at the headquarters of Irish rugby, the Club was established before the international game came to Lansdowne Road. The brainchild of the visionary H.W.D. Dunlop, Lansdowne FC has been a central player in the history of Irish rugby for 150 years. Generation after generation of Irish greats have plied their trade with the Club, with more than one hundred Lansdowne players going on to represent their country. Many have also gained further recognition by being selected for the British and Irish Lions and other international invitational sides such as the Barbarians.

Centred on the need for people to associate together, this social and cultural history of Lansdowne FC is presented through the prism of key events in Ireland and the wider world, from the drive for codification of sports in the later nineteenth century through the seismic events of World War I, the Irish Revolution, the Free State and Republic, World War II and beyond. Throughout the book major questions relating to nationalism, unionism, class, religion, and racism in sport and wider society are addressed, while it concludes with consideration of the impact of Covid-19 and the regenerative power of sport within the community.

Charles Ivar McGrath lectures in history at UCD. His research covers a wide range of areas in Irish and British political, economic, social, and cultural history. He is the author of three books as well as numerous journal articles, chapters, and entries in biographical dictionaries and encyclopaedias, and is the co-editor of three essay collections.

Members can place an Advance Order to purchase the book for €30 per copy. Books will be available for collection in the Clubhouse no sooner than Thursday 15^th of September at the 150^th Season’s Opening Night. This event will also include the official book launch and an interview with the author. You can choose to have your book delivered by post to your preferred address. Registered postage will be added as appropriate at the checkout stage. The book will be available to non-members post launch at a price of €35 per copy.

You can preorder HERE

NB Please confirm in the notes section of the payment screen if you will be attending the launch to collect your book.