A Field of Dreams in Wicklow: How Inbhear Dee AC Made It Happen

Posted by Ewelina Wu on September 30, 2025 in Activities, Arts and Culture, Events – Ireland, Family, Inspiration, Meet the Locals

A Field of Dreams in Wicklow:
How Inbhear Dee AC Made It Happen

At Trident Holiday Homes, nothing makes us prouder than backing projects powered by people. The story of Inbhear Dee Athletics Club in Wicklow is exactly that – a dream patiently nurtured, a community rallying together, and a new training home created with heart.

A Club Rooted in Wicklow

Founded in 1980, Inbhear Dee AC has welcomed athletes of all ages and abilities for decades, now counting around 150 juvenile members and 50 adults. It’s a proper Wicklow town club with deep local ties and big ambitions.

When the Coastline Changed, the Dream Didn’t

For years, the club trained on soft ground along the Murrough. But as the coastline shifted and the wetlands became a protected conservation area, safe, soft running space in town disappeared. Yet the vision for a better training home stayed alive.

Community Momentum: The Streets of Wicklow 5K

The club’s much-loved Streets of Wicklow 5K, held every St Stephen’s Day, became a rallying point – bringing community together and raising funds for the dream of a permanent training ground.

Six Days, Many Hands, One Trail

Once the gate opened, the community did the rest. Volunteers rolled in with time, machinery, and sheer grit – levelling the ground, laying material, and shaping a soft surface underfoot. In just six days, they created a beautiful 1-kilometre running loop with smaller training loops, and even added a long-jump area.

Coach Eithne Walsh summed it up perfectly:

“It felt like a miracle. On the seventh day, Ben – one of our club members – finally took his rest.”

From Wicklow to the World – and Home Again

Olympian Roisín McGettigan, who began her athletics journey with Inbhear Dee and went on to compete at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, has already tried the new surface – and she’s smitten. She describes it as one of the nicest surfaces she’s ever run on, soft, kind on the legs, and perfect for building strength.

What’s Next

The Field of Dreams is only the beginning. With the Council’s plans for a broader sports hub at Hawkstown, the site has the potential to become a sporting centre for the whole community. For now, the club has something precious: a safe, welcoming training ground right in the heart of Wicklow.

Proud to Play Our Part

We’re delighted to have supported Inbhear Dee AC’s Field of Dreams. It’s more than a trail: it’s a testament to perseverance, community, and what Wicklow can achieve together.

Here’s to many miles, new friendships, and a thriving club future.