The club was founded in 1966 under the banner of Cumann Naomh Ciarán. During the 1980s the Club became a major underage force in Galway football under the guidance of Club greats such as Tony Regan and Liam Sammon. This resulted in over ten championships at both minor and U-21 levels being won. This underage success was then transferred onto the Senior stage in 1990 with the Club winning its first Senior football county title followed by a Connaught Club title. The Club lost the All-Ireland Final in 1991 to Lavey of Derry after a spirited effort. Players starring on this team included Alan Mulholland, Norman Costello, Cathal McGinley, John Kilraine, Pat Comer, Mark Gibbs, and Donners who subsequently managed the Club to an All Ireland title in 2006. Since the 1980s the Club has always had successful underage teams in football. Minor and U21 finals are regularly contested but the Club did however need to wait under 2005 to win its next County title which was followed by an All Ireland Club title on St Patricks Day in 2006 against St Galls of Antrim, players starring on this team included Finian Hanley, Seán Armstrong, Michael Donnellan, Maurice Sheridan, Séamie Crowe, Alan Kerins to mention only a few. The Club is recognised widely mainly as a football club in Galway with a great reputation for producing strong underage teams. The Club also runs hurling teams which compete at Junior levels and have had their first winning Galway minor in 2009 with Tadhg Haran who starred at midfield at the semi final stage. The club is well structured at under level in all four codes, with many parents involved in managing teams and organising club activities. Players from the club field on underage county teams every year and some club members such as over the years have represented Galway at adult level. Hurling has been played in the club since the early 1980s and for the last four years has experienced growth. Camogie in Bóthar na Trá celebrated 25 years in 2004 and is now stronger than ever. Ladies football has flourished in recent years and the club has won titles at underage and junior level, capturing a Junior county title in 2003, and players are now playing for Galway on the intercounty stage. The club's finest hour came in 2006 when Salthill-Knocknacarra won the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship title defeating St. Galls of Antrim in the final. Salthill-Knocknacarra hosted Prince William and Princess Catherine in March 2020, the first visit by any members of the British royal family to a GAA club in Ireland.
