The following clubs were represented at that meeting: Ballinasloe, Castlebar, Galway Town, Galway Grammar School, Queens College Galway and Ranelagh School Athlone. Only Castlebar, Ballinasloe, and Queens College (now NUIG) still survive.
Castlebar RFC was founded in February 1971. Over 40 people attended that meeting in the Imperial Hotel in Castlebar. Among those who attended were M Ralston, Dr A Taffe, A Bourke, Charlie Garavan, Fergus Kilkelly, Padraig Lyons, Frankie Cresham, Lar Davis, F Davey, David Flood, Paul Heverin, Ollie Whyte and Dr Declan Shields.
The first game was played in Durcan’s field in Turlough. Paul Heverin agreed to donate a set of jerseys and he selected the colours of Navy and Sky Blue, because he was a past pupil of Castleknock College. Later, they used the St Marys field for training sessions, but things improved when the Western Health Board allowed the club to use the Airport Field.
The early games were played in the Airport Field, once the cattle were driven off it (not particularly remembered as a great playing surface), and changing rooms were kindly supplied by the late Tony McHugh of the Welcome Inn…………. see more at :- http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-rugby/founding-members-launch-new-initiative-in-plans-for-future-30799485.html