Welcome to Blackrock A.C.

Welcome to Blackrock Athletic Club, one of Dublin’s premier athletic clubs. We are a community-based club dedicated to the promotion of athletics, the physical and mental health benefits they bring and the development of our members’ skills, fitness, and confidence. Our club offers a range of training and competitive opportunities for athletes of all ages and abilities, from beginner to elite level.

Founded in 1944 during World War 2, Blackrock A.C. has developed into one of the biggest athletic clubs in Ireland. The club evolved from a volunteer military unit and started out with around 20 members, many of whom first came into contact with athletics through inter-service (army) competition.

Joe Hodgins brought the first national title in 1950 and since then it has grown from strength to strength. In the initial stages, it catered for men only. The main reason for the exclusion of women from athletics stemmed from the church’s opposition to them participating in a sport that demanded physical exertion. It would be a further 25 years before there was a change in attitude in this respect, which allowed for the introduction of athletic competition for women. The club has benefitted immensely from this development and we are proud to have so many great female members.

Efforts were made to get juvenile athletics off the ground before the current junior section was established in 1980. It has continued to grow and expand and today there is a queue of young children (6 – 13) waiting to get in. This is something we are continually working on as we believe no child should be excluded from athletics and our volunteers are at the core of this initiative. As a result, we have been able to open registration completely to those aged 14+ and hope to expand this offering further over the next few years.

We are proud to have played a role in shaping the careers of some of Ireland’s most successful athletes. However, we are equally proud of our commitment to grassroots athletics, supporting our members to achieve their personal best and enjoy the sport in a safe and inclusive environment.

At Blackrock A.C., we have a dedicated team of coaches, all of whom are highly experienced, qualified and Garda-vetted. Our coaching staff include national champions and coaches who have worked with some of Ireland’s most successful athletes and ran everything from 60m, 5km right up to ultra-marathon distances.

Our club caters to various disciplines, including track and field, cross country, road and trail running. We have an extensive program of training sessions throughout the year, including group training sessions, one-to-one coaching, and specialised training camps for our more competitive athletes.

Blackrock A.C. is a club for all ages, with members ranging from young children aged 6+ right up to seniors. We are committed to promoting the health and well-being of our members, and we encourage a balanced approach to training and competition. Our club has a strong sense of community, and we pride ourselves on our supportive and friendly atmosphere.

Thank you for visiting our website. We hope that you will find all the information you need to become a member of Blackrock Athletic Club and join our community of athletes.

We look forward to welcoming you to our club!