Cumann rothaíochta na hÉireann was founded in 1949 after its predecessor the National Cycling Association was expelled from the international governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale.
The NCA, an all-island association, was expelled for refusing to operate as a 26 county governing body. And so, in 1949 several breakaway groups formed their own associations, such as the Cumann Rothaíochta na hÉireann. The NCA teams continued to show up to international events in spite of the fact that they had been expelled as an organisation.
In 1967 Cumann rothaíochta na hÉireann was replaced by the Irish Cycling Federation. The NCA continued to operate on a 32 county basis, which meant that both organisations were sending teams to compete at international events. Even the 1972 Munich Olympics weren't immune as the race became the scene of a fight between the NCA and the ICF. Attempts were made to mediate between the organisations with a view towards eventually amalgamating. After lengthy discussions, this resulted in the 1987 formation of the Federation of Irish Cyclists, but the work was not yet done as cyclists in Northern Ireland were still divided.
Eventually, in 2006, it was made possible for all Northern Irish cyclists to switch their affiliation to the FIC, which was now called Cycling Ireland. The cyclists were then allowed to chose whether they represented Britain or Ireland on an individual basis.
