Croke Park
Croke Park (Irish: Páirc an Chrócaigh, IPA: [ˈpˠaːɾʲc ə ˈxɾˠoːkəj]) is a Gaelic games stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Named after Archbishop Thomas Croke, it is referred to as Croker by GAA fans and locals.[2] It serves as both the principal national stadium of Ireland and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). Since 1891[3] the site has been used by the GAA to host Gaelic sports, including the annual All-Ireland in Gaelic football and hurling.
Location
Jones Road, Dublin 3, D03 P6K7, Ireland
82,300
90,556 (Down–Offaly, 24 September 1961)
145m x 88m
Soil pitch[1]
1880
1884
2004
€266 million (2004 renovation)
Gilroy McMahon
Seamus Monahan & Partners
Horgan Lynch & Partners
A major expansion and redevelopment of the stadium ran from 1991 to 2005, raising capacity to its current 82,300 spectators.[4] This makes Croke Park the fourth-largest stadium in Europe, and the largest not usually used for association football in Europe.
Along with other events held at the stadium include the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2003 Special Olympics, and numerous musical concerts. In 2012, Irish pop group Westlife sold out the stadium in a record-breaking time: less than 5 minutes.[5] From 2007 to 2010, Croke Park hosted home matches of the Ireland national rugby union team and the Republic of Ireland national football team, while their new Aviva Stadium was constructed. This use of Croke Park for non-Gaelic sports was controversial and required temporary changes to GAA rules. In June 2012, the stadium hosted the closing ceremony of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress during which Pope Benedict XVI gave an address over a video link.[6][7]
Skyline tour[edit]
A walkway,[46] known under a sponsorship deal as Kellogg's Skyline Tour Croke Park, opened on 1 June 2012.[47] From 44 metres above the ground, it offers views of Dublin city and the surrounding area.[48][49] The Olympic Torch was brought to the stadium and along the walkway on 6 June 2012.
