County Carlow Football Club was founded in October 1873. The club was elected a member of the IRFU (Irish Rugby Football Union) on December 1st 1899. Only a few clubs such a Dublin University, Wanderers and Queen’s University were already in existence when the Carlow club was founded.
The Irish Football Union was founded in 1874. It had jurisdiction over clubs in Leinster, Munster and parts of Ulster. In 1875 the Northern Football Union was formed. It controlled clubs in the Belfast area. The two Unions agreed to amalgamate and become the Irish Rugby Football Union in 1879.
Branches were to be formed in Leinster, Munster and Ulster. The Union was to be run by a council made up of six members from each province. Though clubs such as Ballinasloe in the province of Connaught had been founded in 1875 the Connaught Branch of the Union was not formed until 1886.
By 1885 twenty six clubs were affiliated to the IRFU. Today there are over 200 clubs, from the four provinces of Ireland, affiliated to the Union. Rugby football is being played in almost 250 schools throughout Ireland.
The inaugural general meeting of the Irish Rugby Football Union was held in the year 1880 On This Day.
Photo by infomatique 
Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland