The Ulster Rifle Association was formed in 1860 in Belfast, following a rise in public feeling regarding a possible invasion by the French. This country wide movement also led to the formation of the NRA (National Rifle Association) in England in the same year, although somewhat obscure records indicate that the URA may possibly be able to claim seniority back to 1825. The first president was the Marquis of Dufferin and Ava, and his descendents have so honoured the URA ever since, presenting the Dufferin Medal each year. As the Illegal Drilling Act of 1819, long since repealed in GB, restricted the handling of firearms by civilians, the Home Office and the Royal Irish Constabulary obtained the passing of the Arms Act in Ireland. This led to the agreement that the names of all new members are submitted to the Police for approval. In 1866 the URA affiliated to the IRA (Irish Rifle Association) and in 1870 to the NRA. Between 1860 and 1879 many team matches took place at Clandeboye between the URA and Dublin Shooting Club. Many notable shooters of that era took part, including John Rigby, the Dublin gunsmith, John McKenna and Richard Barnett, both of Belfast. When the Elcho Shield was won by Ireland for the first time in 1873, a challenge was sent to America, and long range matches under Elcho Shield conditions were fired in 1874 on the Creedmore Range in the USA. The following year a return match was fired on the Dollymount Range in Dublin. In both matches the Americans were successful, and in 1875 they presented a Challenge Cup for annual competition as a memorial to the first International rifle contest on Irish soil. This cup is still in the possession of the URA and is competed for annually in the Irish Open Championship.

Also in 1875, Ireland sent a team to America, together with teams from Scotland, Canada and Australia. In these matches, the Irish used Rigby muzzle loaders fired from the prone position, while the Americans used breech loaders fired from the back position. The results of this match were USA 3126, Ireland 3104, Australia 3096, Scotland 3061 and Canada 2923. In 1901 the URA sent a team to New York and they brought back the Seagirt Cup, which is still competed for annually at the Open Rifle meeting. With the outbreak of the troubles in Ireland in 1916, firearms certificates were withdrawn from civilians, and it was not until 1924 that civilian clubs were permitted to operate again. 900 and 1000 yard ranges were opened in 1936 at Ligoniel but on the outbreak of the War the range was taken over for the training of Auxiliary Forces. It was not until 1949 that the Ministry of Home Affairs gave approval for the use of Ligoniel range for pistol shooting, and this range was used for both rifle and pistol shooting up to 1970, when the latest troubles caused all civilian weapons to be secured under military guard at Ballykinler military ranges, where all target rifle shooting has been done since.

The club provides a varied programme both winter and summer, with competitions under both scratch and handicap conditions, the aim being to provide enjoyment to both the tyro and the expert, with the hope that the first will gradually aspire to equal the second. In addition to the fullbore target rifle section, the club now caters for a number of other disciplines. There is a large and very healthy pistol section catering for both fullbore and smallbore pistols, a sporting rifle section, a classic rifle section a black powder section catering for both pistols and long arms and a smallbore target rifle section catering for both short and long range.