Croke Park, officially known as Páirc an Chrócaigh, is a multi-purpose stadium situated in Dublin, Ireland. It is predominantly used for Gaelic games, home fixtures of the Dublin football and hurling teams, and also hosts major national and international concert events.
Originally opened in 1884 and extensively renovated in the 1990s and early 2000s, it replaced the original Croke Park, which had a much smaller capacity. The current seating capacity of the stadium is 82,300, making it the third-largest stadium in Europe. The stadium redevelopment was overseen by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) with the final cost of construction coming in at €260 million.
As a UEFA category four stadium, Croke Park has hosted several significant events, including the 2003 Special Olympics opening ceremony, and international rugby and soccer matches during the renovation of Lansdowne Road. In 2012, it was shortlisted as one of the 12 venues to host matches during the UEFA Euro 2020. Croke Park was also the venue for the closing ceremony of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress in 2012. As of 2021, Croke Park has welcomed well over 25 million spectators. It remains a potential venue for major international events in the future.
While the previous Dublin stadium was also officially named 'Croke Park', both the old and the new stadia are invariably referred to by their official name, Croke Park. Croke Park is the name of the stadium located in Dublin, Ireland. Named after Archbishop Thomas Croke, it is sometimes called Croker by GAA fans and locals. The stadium serves as both the principal national stadium of Ireland and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).
Since 1884 the site has been used primarily by the GAA to host Gaelic games, most notably the annual All-Ireland finals in football and hurling. Both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2003 Special Olympics, as well as numerous music concerts by major international acts, have been held in the stadium. Croke Park has a capacity of 82,300, making it the third largest stadium in Europe, and the largest not primarily used for association football.
In 1913, after the GAA purchased the grounds and started development, it was officially named in honour of Archbishop Thomas Croke, one of the GAA's first patrons. In 1920 during the Irish War of Independence, Croke Park was the scene of a massacre by the Royal Irish Constabulary, which was a defining moment in the conflict and is still remembered till today. During the 1920s and 1930s the grounds were expanded, with wooden terraces being constructed around the pitch. In 1971 the first cantilevered 'New Hogan Stand' was opened with 5,000 seats, and in 1988 the stadium became all-seater, with a remodelled and extended 'Hogan Stand'.
In the 1990s, major redevelopment work was undertaken, culminating in 2005 with the opening of the completely redesigned stadium. This work included the removal of the old Hogan Stand and the creation of a new, larger, state-of-the-art stand which could hold over 30,000 spectators. The name Croke Park became synonymous with the GAA and Gaelic games, and the stadium has become a symbol for Irish nationalism.
An ideal location, with excellent accessibility and plenty of space for future growth, was found on the north side of Dublin city centre. Situated in the heart of the city, the new stadium was initially known as 'Croke Park'.
It was always the goal of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) to own the stadium and the surrounding land, though initially, a lease was taken out on the municipal property, with the final purchase only happening in 1913. The plans for the sports complex had been drafted as early as the late 1890s by Frank Brazil Dineen, a former player for the association.
Under the leadership of the association's president, Frank Murphy, the members managed an increased fee to fund the construction costs for the new stadium, made generous donations, and some even worked on the construction site during weekends or holidays. There was also a 'brick campaign', where large amounts of bricks were donated to the association.
Construction officially started on 28 January 1913. Less than three years later, and at a cost of £30,000, on 23 June 1913 (a national holiday), a crowd of 30,000 filled the stadium for the inaugural match between Dublin and Wexford.
Croke Park (1913): An article from the official Gaelic Athletic Association website, providing historical details about the stadium. http://www.gaa.ie/croke-park/history
Croke Park (The Cathedral) – until 2003: A comprehensive overview of the stadium on StadiumDB.com, including its history and major events. http://www.stadiumdb.com/stadiums/irl/croke_park
The Light of Croke Park doesn't go out: A book by Prefácio, providing an in-depth look at the history and significance of Croke Park. https://www.amazon.com/Light-Croke-Park-doesnt-out/dp/9728820070
Gaelic Athletic Association 100 glorious years - The History 1: A book by Edition and Contents, S.A., offering a detailed history of the Gaelic Athletic Association and Croke Park. https://www.amazon.com/Gaelic-Athletic-Association-glorious-years/dp/989554099X
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