Croke Park Stadium: A Visitor's Guide to the Home of the GAA

Croke Park, on the north side of Dublin, is the headquarters and principal stadium of the Gaelic Athletic Association, the body that governs Gaelic games such as hurling and Gaelic football. With a capacity of more than 82,000, it is one of the largest stadiums in Europe and a focal point of Irish sporting life.

The home of Gaelic games

Croke Park hosts the biggest fixtures in the Gaelic games calendar, culminating in the All-Ireland hurling and football finals, traditionally held in the late summer. On big match days the surrounding streets fill with supporters in county colours, and the atmosphere is a large part of what draws visitors to the ground.

The GAA Museum and stadium tour

For those visiting outside match days, the GAA Museum tells the story of Gaelic games and their place in Irish culture and history, including the events of Bloody Sunday in 1920 when the stadium was the scene of a fatal attack. Stadium tours take visitors behind the scenes, into the dressing rooms and out pitchside, while the Etihad Skyline rooftop walk offers views across the city.

Visiting practicalities

The museum and tours run year round, though tour availability is reduced around major events. Booking online in advance is recommended, especially in summer and during school holidays. The stadium is a walkable distance from the city centre and O'Connell Street, and is served by numerous bus routes.

Why it is worth a visit

Whether you attend a match or take a tour, Croke Park offers insight into games that are amateur at their core yet followed with intense loyalty across Ireland. For visitors, it is one of the best places to understand the role sport plays in Irish community life.