125 years ago, a group of enthusiastic Irish sporting diaspora came together to form their own rugby club, the London Irish Rugby Football Club. The first game took place on 1st October 1898 against the former Hammersmith club at Herne Hill Athletic Ground, with London Irish winning 8–3.

The club prides itself on a strong historic Irish identity, and the natural warmth and friendliness that goes hand in hand with it. These qualities have enabled us to evolve into a welcoming and hospitable home for all people. Rugby at London Irish is totally inclusive, and we are very proud of the diversity of our many players, members and supporters. We may lack a cabinet full of trophies, but the characters and people who have contributed to our story have made us the epitome of a proper rugby club.

If you wish to download the logo you can do so in our documents page - (Click Here)

Just before our centenary, we embraced the advent of professionalism in 1996. There have been many developments over the years, including a move from the former spiritual home at The Avenue to the elite Hazelwood training facility, and at the beginning of the 2020/2021 season the professional club returned to London at the new Brentford Community Stadium.

The restructuring of amateur rugby at Irish saw adult rugby amalgamated with the youth and mini sections into a single organisation, and in 2000 London Irish Amateur RFC was reconstituted under the RFU umbrella. Today the amateur club comprises men’s and women’s rugby, alongside a thriving youth and mini section, and shares the excellent facilities at Hazelwood.

We remain a home from home for Irish people who have emigrated here, whilst retaining a fierce pride in being open and welcoming to anyone who wishes to enjoy a game of rugby or see their children develop. The club is embedded in the local community where we have played for 90 years, and this remains at our core and guides us in all we seek to achieve.

Bart O'Connell - President