The Downs G.A.A. Club was affiliated officially to the association in 1893 and has an unbroken membership since that time. The club celebrated it's centenary year in 1993.

The first two decades of this century are regarded as the years in which the G.A.A. became firmly rooted in Co. Westmeath, and our club played a major role in this development.

The decades that followed, the '20's, '30,s, '40's and '50's, were periods of varied and wide ranging changes in all aspects of the life of the people in Ireland. Economic depression, unemployment, emigration and the problems created by World war II. Throughout those times our club continued to function no matter what the difficulties that existed. As a result, a proud and honoured place has been established for the club in the district, and also in the structure of the G.A.A. in Westmeath.

In 1964, after different periods that alternated between junior and senior status, a new and progressive era in our development commenced. Since then we have been a major force in senior ranks in the football competitions, winning six Senior County Championships and many other awards in subsidiary competitions. As well, all age groups are catered for and in minor and juvenile grades a well organised programme of coaching and games are an important part of our activities.

In the long awaited success for Westmeath in their win in the All-Ireland Minor Football Championship of 1995, three players from our club, Martin Murtagh, Thomas Cleary and Shane Deering, were on the team and one of the selectors, Eunan McCormack, was a prominent member of our committee.

Additionally in the 1999 Under 21 success we were once again well represented with Shane Deering winning his second All-Ireland medal. He was joined on the panel by Barry Conroy and Keith Shanley. Eunan McCormack was a selector on this team also.

In the wider area of involvement at county level, the input of our club has been substantial, both on and off the field. There is scarcely a year in which some of our players are not involved in the Inter-County teams. In the administration of the association, we contribute a fair share of input. Our Club Treasurer is also Irish Language and Cultural Officer of the County Committee, while another of our members is the principal figure in the compiling and updating of the Bye-laws that operate in the G.A.A. in Westmeath.