DunleerAC.net

You might recognise some faces below.
All of our Dunleer AC members and Friends over the years have helped make our history. Mentors, Members and Memorial races, Festivals, Fashion shows and Full on Effort!

Historically, Dunleer Athletic Club has been in existence for 114 years and has promoted the Rás na hÉireann International cross country event since 1970. The first International involvement in the Rás was in 1975 when athletes from France competed. Over the years athletes from 43 countries, including Ireland’s Catherina Mc Kiernan, Rosemary Ryan, Maria Mc Cambridge and holder of 5 world records Delilah Asiago from Kenya have competed, as well as Charles Kamathi, James Kariuki, Mark Carroll, Séamas Power and Vinny Mulvey providing exciting role models for athletes from all over Ireland who come to participate and spectate at the event. In 2009, Drogheda's Keith Kelly came home from his US base to compete in the Rás, and went on to win the National Inter Clubs senior cross country the following week, only the 3rd Louth man to do so.

Dunleer Athletic Club was founded in 1896 by the late Larry Mc Ardle. The Club colours are black and yellow, and the Club caters for all ages, both male and female, from a wide catchment area, from as far south as Julianstown and as far north as Newry, with Drogheda, Dunleer, Collon, Monasterboice, Termonfeckin, Clogherhead, Ardee and Dundalk and many other villages all represented. The Honorary President is Larry Mc Guill from Dunleer who has dedicated 50 years to athletics.

The Club is affiliated to the Athletic Association of Ireland (A.A.I.) and has Clubrooms, an all weather flood lit track and field event areas. The Clubrooms were officially opened on January 1st 1982, while the track was opened soon after on the 22nd of June 1982. These facilities all stand on the grounds of Lann Léire Gaelic Football Club, with an agreement of use.

1946 Louth Champions Dunleer A.C.

1959 Louth Champions Dunleer A.C.

1959 Louth Champions Dunleer A.C.

The existing Club facilities were financed by the Club members and community. All of the money was raised through 5 week draws, sponsored walks and so on. In 1997, a grant of £10,000 was provided by the Department of Education Recreational Facilities Scheme to improve and equip the kitchen, gym, office, floodlights, track and field areas. A grant was approved under the Sports Capital Grant scheme, to repair the track. This work was carried out in 2009.

While the Club was waiting for the work on the track to be carried out, training took place at the modern facility at Scoil Uí Mhuirí. The indoor facilities are excellent for circuit training, indoor field events and fun training for the younger athletes. The older juveniles, juniors and seniors trained at various locations: St.Oliver's Community College, Oldbridge etc.

2011
The track renovation is complete and training takes place there round the clock! Walkers, joggers, marathon hopefuls, juveniles, parents, all sport entusiasts from the area benefit from the use of this track.

Scoil Uí Mhuirí continues to be a fantastic venue for much needed strength and conditioning work, as well as fun athletics for younger children and athletics skills for older juveniles.

Oldbridge is used by many of our members also for long, scenic runs.

The track facility is availed of as a safe walking route by the expanding population of Dunleer, which now has town status. The track is traffic free and has the benefit of floodlighting during dark evenings. Local footballers and athletes from a range of sporting disciplines use the track to improve aerobic fitness levels.

The Club is truly socially inclusive, with all members of the public, of all ages encouraged to use the facility. This is a facility for the community by the community, bridging gaps between all sectors of society and reaching out to educational institutions, clubs and groups.