Croke Park

As the home of Ireland's largest sporting and cultural organisation, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) - Croke Park has played host to iconic moments in Irish sport & history and to major cultural and international events. The stadium is one of the largest in Europe, with a capacity of 82,300. The Croke Park campus features the Croke Park Meetings & Events Centre, the GAA Museum, Stadium Tour and Ericsson Skyline Tour. Croke Park is famous for holding the all Ireland Finals in Hurling, Football, Camogie (Ladies Hurling), and Ladies Football. It is the pinnacle of Irish sports. Yougsters from all over Ireland dream of representing their County on the hallowed pitch at Croke Park. On the 1st November 1884 seven men met in the billiards room of Mrs. Hayes Hotel in Thurles, Co Tipperary. It was at this meeting, under the guidance of Michael Cusack, that the Gaelic Athletic Association was formed. Maurice Davin, a famous athlete, was named as the first President and Cusack as the Secretary. Archbishop Croke of Cashel was appointed one of the first patrons of the new Association. In later years two Croke Park Stands were named in honour of Cusack and Davin while the stadium itself was named in Crokes honour. On March 15th 1896 the first All-Ireland finals were played at Jones’ Road, prior to this All-Ireland finals were played at various locations around the country. On December 17th 1908 Frank Dineen, a former GAA President and General Secretary, purchased Jones’ Road Sports Ground in trust for the GAA for £3,250. In 1913 the GAA were financially in a position to purchase the site of Jones’ Road from Frank Dineen using gate money from the Croke Memorial Tournament. Jones’ Road was purchased for £2,400 and was renamed Croke Memorial Park. The first final to be played in the newly renamed Croke Memorial Park was the 1913 All-Ireland Football Final on December 14th 1913. In 1918 the GAA was declared a dangerous organisation by the British Government and gaelic games were banned. However, on Sunday August 4th over 54,000 GAA members, defying the ban, played GAA games at a designated time of 3pm all over Ireland. On November 21st 1920 thirteen spectators and one Tipperary footballer, Michael Hogan, died in Croke Park when British Troops entered the grounds and opened fire during a challenge match between Tipperary and Dublin. Over 10,000 people attended the match that ill-fated day which become known as ‘Bloody Sunday’. The Hogan Stand is named after Michael Hogan. On February 11th 2007 history was made when the first Rugby Union International was played in Croke Park with a Six Nations clash between Ireland and France. On March 24th 2007 the first soccer match took place at Croke Park when the Republic of Ireland took on Wales in Euro 2008. A trip to Croke Park simply wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the treasured GAA Museum. Get ready to immerse yourself in the spine-tingling and completely unique story of Gaelic games from ancient times to the present day. This museum is like no other sporting museum you’ll ever visit. It not only celebrates the history of Ireland’s national games, it also vividly brings to life how the GAA has contributed to our cultural, social and sporting heritage. Featured exhibitions include the original Sam Maguire and Liam MacCarthy Cups, the rousing Hall of Fame, and a whole floor dedicated to the games as they are today. When you’re done exploring, get a taste of the action in the popular Interactive Games Zone, where you can test your hurling and Gaelic football skills! Why not experience the whole stadium and take the tour. You’ll discover on this eye-opening, access-all-areas tour. From quirky insights into why Croke Park’s grass is always greener to learning about defining moments in Irish history, the passionate Tour Guides will take you on an inspiring journey around our national stadium. Ranked as one of the best things to do in Dublin, some of the highlights include taking a seat in the VIP area, getting a birds-eye view from the media centre, sneaking a peek inside the dressing rooms, and of course, walking in the footsteps of gaelic games legends as you go pitchside through the players’ tunnel! Why not take the Ericsson Skyline tour. Are you ready for a 17-storey high? Then bring your adventurous spirit (and your camera!) to Croke Park’s Skyline. Located right in the heart of the city, this thrilling rooftop walkway is actually Dublin’s highest open-viewing platform and offers breathtaking panoramic views of Ireland’s vibrant capital from the mountains to the sea. This Dublin City tour highlights all of the capital’s main landmarks while giving you an insight into its heartfelt history, told in a uniquely charming way by the charismatic Tour Guides. Then of course there’s the sporting highlight – the incredible view from the platform that’s suspended over the Croke Park pitch itself.