Wicklow County Council is pleased to announce the signing of a Licence Agreement with Inbhear Dee Athletic Club, granting the club the use of the Hawkstown Road site in Wicklow Town as a dedicated training facility for its members.

The Council previously presented a master plan to the elected members of the Wicklow Municipal District, outlining a large-scale community sports project for the Hawkstown Road site. However, since the proposed sports centre is a long-term project, the Council has offered Inbhear Dee Athletic Club the use of the site as a temporary athletics training facility. This licence agreement will remain in effect until the Council is ready to commence permanent works on the site. The development of this site also aligns with the efforts of the elected members on the recently approved Wicklow and Rathnew Local Area Plan, which focuses on providing and developing sporting facilities in the region.

Following the signing of the licence agreement, Inbhear Dee developed a 1km running trail and a long jump area for training purposes. The club invested a substantial amount of its own funds into these improvements and sought sponsorship from private businesses. The elected members of the Wicklow Municipal District provided funding from their Discretionary Fund, and Wicklow Local Sports Partnership also contributed to the project. This partnership approach demonstrates a shared vision between Wicklow County Council and Inbhear Dee Athletic Club to foster community engagement, promote healthy lifestyles and support sporting excellence.

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow Municipal District, Cllr. Graham Richmond, expressed his delight at the signing of the licence agreement, stating, “On behalf of the six elected members of Wicklow Municipal District, I want to thank the officials for their foresight in securing a licence agreement on this land for a club that has over 150 members but currently has no dedicated training area or home. Furthermore, I look forward to working closely with the officials in pursuing funding options to develop the site in the long term.”

Brian Gleeson, Director of Finance for Wicklow County Council and Wicklow Municipal District Manager, commented, “this is an extremely worthwhile project and I want to thank the Elected Members for supporting it. As the landowners, the Council were able to afford Inbhear Dee Athletics Club the opportunity to use this site for training purposes, and we acted immediately to ensure an agreement was put in place in a swift and efficient manner. The future use of Hawkstown will be a huge boost to the club and will also enhance their ability to attract more members.”

Eithne Walsh from Inbhear Dee Athletics Club said, "Inbhear Dee is delighted with this space, it's a game changer for the club. The trail surface is perfect for all runners, the athletes now have a long jump to practice on and a safe space for throwing javelin. We are also in a position where we can take in new members. The trail was a really successful, collaborative project. Wicklow Municipal District, Wicklow Local Sports Partnership and the six Wicklow MD Councillors all rallied to help Inbhear Dee get the space developed. Inbhear Dee members, especially Ben and Robyn Mooney literally abandoned their day job, and worked on site until the job was done. It's a real example of what communities can achieve when they come together. I am really looking forward to seeing this space being developed as a community sports hub in the future, this is step one and there is so much more to look forward to."

IMAGES

Picture 1: (L to R/Back Row) Cllr. Shane Langrell, Cllr. Paul O’Brien, Róisín McGettigan (Olympic Athlete), Eithne Walsh, Ben Mooney, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow Municipal District Cllr. Graham Richmond, Robyn Mooney, Director of Finance for Wicklow County Council and Wicklow District Manager Brian Gleeson, Wicklow District Engineer William Halligan, Wicklow District Administrator Georgina Franey, and Cllr Danny Alvey with children from Inbhear Dee Athletic Club. Photo Credit: Sasson Haviv. 

Picture 2: Cathaoirleach of Wicklow Municipal District Cllr. Graham Richmond with elected members and staff from Wicklow Municipal District observing Inbhear Dee juvenile athletes practicing the high jump. Photo Credit: Sasson Haviv. 

Picture 3: Róisín McGettigan, Olympic Athlete and member of Inbhear Dee Athletic Club, coaching juvenile members. Photo Credit: Sasson Haviv.