About Us

Setanta Triathlon Club History

Setanta was the nephew of King Conor McNessa. Hurling was a very popular game at that time and Setanta was a very good hurler. One evening, The King was invited to the house of Culann, the blacksmith for a feast. The king wanted Setanta to come along, but at the time he was playing a game of hurling so he arrived when the feast had already begun. The blacksmith put his wolfhound on guard at the door. When Setanta arrived, the dog began to bark fiercely and he was going to attack Setanta. Setanta hit the sliotar with his hurley and it went into the hound's mouth and stuck in his throat. Immediately, the great dog fell dead. When the king and the blacksmith saw what had happened, they were pleased to see Setanta alive, but the blacksmith was sad to see that his faithful guard dog was dead. Setanta told Culann that he would be the guard until one of the wolfhound's puppies could be trained.

What's this got to do with triathlon I hear you ask, yes, the challenge undertaken, standing on the start line, to go beyond the normal limits, and to be courageous in our endeavors. The boy Setanta faced many challenges and we the present members of Setanta Triathlon carry on with our sporting quest.

The first Triathlon was held in Blackrock in 2004, organised by Kenny Dorian, Johnny McCabe and many volunteers, supporting local man, Conor Hughes, and his Romanian Orphanage Charity 'Cross Cause'. It drew 75 participants, most of which competing in their first ever triathlon. The local interest in the race blossomed, and it was decided to call a meeting with the intention of forming a club, and become affiliated to Triathlon Ireland and the event became established and got Premier League status, all be it, Tier 4.

The first meeting was held on 14th October, 2004. Those in attendance were Alan Gray, Gerry McCabe, Owen Martin, Paul Watters, Declan McCabe, Johnny McCabe, Robert Kinahan and Rauidhri Stewart. It was agreed to name the club Setanta and register the name and club with Triathlon Ireland.

The following officers were duly elected:-

Chairman	Alan Gray
Treasurer	Gerry McCabe
Secretary	Johnny McCabe
Membership	Owen Martin

Our main aim of the club is to promote the sport of Triathlon in the area, however, the social aspects of the sport and friendships made throughout the country are just as important.
Some of the members competed in their first triathlon back in 1984 in the Sligo half Ironman. The seeds for SetantaTri were sown then. We now host two triathlons a year, The Blackrock Sprint event and the Carlingford Olympic distance event.

There is also a series of duathlons and a comprehensive suite of training sessions for Swim, Bike and Run for all levels. In 2008 the membership grew to 110, some just starting out in triathlon others are already Ironmen and Ironwomen proudly following in the tracks of Setanta himself…..