Wicklow Athletics Club Gets Interim Access to Site Ringfenced for Sports Hub

Key Points

• Parnell Athletics Club has signed an agreement with Wicklow County Council (WCC) for interim access to a field as a dedicated training facility.
• The site forms part of the proposed Rathdrum Multi-Use Sports Hub.
• The club draws 240 members from across east Wicklow, including over 150 juveniles.
• Parnell AC competes at national level and has athletes who medalled at European and World Masters levels.
• Noah Harris recently represented the club and Ireland at Youth and U20 European and World Championships.
• Club chair Bill Porter called the development a “pivotal moment in the club’s 55-year history”.
• Porter highlighted unsustainable growth without a dedicated facility and thanked Cllr Pat Kennedy and WCC.
• Cllr Pat Kennedy expressed delight in securing the land and noted it as the beginning for a community centre of excellence in Rathdrum.
• WCC has conducted a survey of need in Rathdrum and developed a concept design.
• The project requires progression to detailed design and planning stages.
• Key figures involved: Sharon O’Neill, Theresa O’Brien (WCC), Parnell Athletics Club chair Bill Porter, Cllr Pat Kennedy, John Sheehan.
• Reported by Eoin Mac Raghnaill of Wicklow People on January 22, 2026.

Rathdrum (Manchester Mirror Times) January 22, 2026 – Parnell Athletics Club has secured interim access to a field through an agreement with Wicklow County Council (WCC), providing a dedicated training facility on a site earmarked for the Rathdrum Multi-Use Sports Hub. This move addresses long-standing needs for the club’s 240 members, drawn from east Wicklow, amid its growth and competitive successes at national and international levels. The development marks a significant step forward for local sports infrastructure in the area.​

What Is the Agreement Between Parnell AC and Wicklow County Council?

The agreement grants Parnell Athletics Club immediate use of the field as a training venue while the broader sports hub project advances. As reported by Eoin Mac Raghnaill of Wicklow People, this interim access ensures continuity for the club’s operations on land ringfenced for multi-use sports development. Wicklow County Council officials Sharon O’Neill and Theresa O’Brien played key roles in facilitating the deal, alongside John Sheehan.

Club chair Bill Porter emphasised the urgency, stating: “Parnell AC has grown steadily and particularly quickly in recent years, but it came to a point where it was not sustainable for the club not to have a dedicated training facility.” Porter further described the agreement as a “pivotal moment in the club’s 55-year history”.​

Why Does Parnell Athletics Club Need This Facility?

Parnell AC serves 240 members across east Wicklow, with a juveniles section exceeding 150 young athletes. The club has maintained national-level competition for years and boasts achievements at higher tiers, including medals at European and World Masters championships. Notably, athlete Noah Harris recently competed for the club and Ireland at the Youth and U20 European and World Championships.

Without a fixed site, training relied on shared or ad-hoc arrangements, limiting development. Porter noted: “We are hugely grateful to councillor Pat Kennedy and WCC for providing this facility. It will no doubt be put to good use as we continue to develop athletes, young and old, to compete on the national, European and world stages.” This interim solution stabilises operations during the club’s expansion phase.​

Who Are the Key Figures Involved in This Deal?

Several individuals drove the negotiations and support for the project. Parnell Athletics Club chair Bill Porter led the club’s side, advocating for the facility’s necessity. Wicklow County Council representatives Sharon O’Neill and Theresa O’Brien handled administrative aspects, while John Sheehan contributed to coordination efforts.

Cllr Pat Kennedy emerged as a pivotal advocate, confirming his role in securing the land. As reported by Eoin Mac Raghnaill of Wicklow People, Kennedy stated he was “delighted to work with Parnell AC to help secure the land”. The councillor also positioned this as “only the beginning for the site, which is to be developed into a community centre of excellence for Rathdrum and the surrounding area”.​

What Is the Rathdrum Multi-Use Sports Hub?

The field lies within a site designated for the Rathdrum Multi-Use Sports Hub, a larger community-focused development. Wicklow County Council has completed a survey of need in Rathdrum, confirming demand for enhanced sports and recreational facilities. A concept design now exists, outlining potential features for the hub.

Progress hinges on advancing to detailed design and planning permission stages. Cllr Pat Kennedy highlighted this timeline, noting the survey and concept phase as foundational steps. The hub aims to serve Rathdrum and nearby regions as a centre of sporting excellence, building on the interim athletics access.​

How Will This Impact Local Athletes and the Community?

For Parnell AC’s members, particularly the 150-plus juveniles, the dedicated field promises consistent training, fostering progression from local to international competition. Achievements like Noah Harris’s international representation underscore the club’s potential, now bolstered by stable infrastructure. Bill Porter anticipates enhanced athlete development across age groups.

Broader community benefits include the sports hub’s evolution into a multi-use venue. Cllr Kennedy described it as a “community centre of excellence”, suggesting facilities for various sports and events. The WCC’s needs survey validates this vision, ensuring alignment with Rathdrum’s priorities.​

What Challenges Lie Ahead for the Sports Hub Project?

While interim access resolves immediate athletics needs, the full hub requires detailed design, planning approval, and funding. Wicklow County Council must navigate these stages amid competing local demands. No specific timelines were detailed, but Cllr Kennedy’s comments imply steady momentum post-concept design.

Parnell AC’s growth trajectory adds pressure for swift progression, as Porter’s remarks on sustainability indicate. Community support, evidenced by figures like Kennedy, bolsters prospects, yet execution remains key to realising the centre of excellence.​

Why Is This a Pivotal Moment for Parnell Athletics Club?

Marking 55 years since founding, Parnell AC’s history includes national competitiveness and global accolades. Recent rapid membership growth—reaching 240, with juveniles dominant—strained resources without a home base. The interim field changes this dynamic, enabling structured programmes.

Porter’s gratitude to Kennedy and WCC reflects collaborative success. For young athletes like those in Noah Harris’s cohort, it opens pathways to Youth Olympics and beyond, cementing the club’s role in east Wicklow sports.​

This agreement exemplifies a local authority-club partnership, setting a model for regional sports development. As Wicklow County Council advances the Rathdrum hub, Parnell AC stands ready to maximise the opportunity, training future champions on home turf. Coverage remains centred on Eoin Mac Raghnaill’s reporting from Wicklow People, with no additional media outlets identified in initial scans as of January 22, 2026.