Portarlington GAA club is one of the oldest clubs in County Laois. It is believed that the club was affiliated around 1888/9 to the GAA but the club was probably created around the time the GAA foundation was formed in 1884,Portarlington was the only team in the parish at that time.It has been in continuous existence even during the Parnell era when many clubs were wound up and reformed at a later date and as such is a member of a very small exclusive group.

The original jerseys of the club were borrowed from the 'Hibernian Knights' club of Dublin with which Portarlington club had connections though Pat Finlay.

Portarlington has enjoyed county success at all levels from underage to senior, most recently winning the 2020 and 2021 Laois Senior Football Championship. Past senior titles attained by the club were 2001, 1995, 1988 and then a gap of some 29 years to 1959. Port also won some titles early in its history. One of the most successful years for bringing home the 'Silver' was 1983 when Port won the under 12;14;15;16;17; Minor and Junior titles.

Since their formation many changes have taken place to the clubs and their surroundings. But it has been the past thirty years of so that has seen the dramatic physical changes to these clubs and their grounds. Portarlington now boasts one of the finest football grounds in Laois: its large hall and changing rooms, built in the 70's along with the newly constructed 1000 seat stand protrude how strong football actually is in the town.