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CROKE PARK | PÁIRC AN CHRÓAIGH Croke Park is the cathedral of Gaelic games and more than a sports arena it is a spiritual sanctuary of the Irish. Repor of the BBC about Croke Park Situated in the centre of Dublin it was inaugurated in 1913 and its most recent renovation was completed in 2004. It has capacity for 82,300 spectators, the fourth largest stadium in Europe, who can enjoy the games staged on a playing area of 144.5 meters long by 88 meters wide. Croke Park All sports other “foreign sports” other than Gaelic games were banned until the 11 of Febuary 2007 when the Gaa opened it’s doors to the National rugby team for the contest between Ireland and France during the six nations championship.
Rugby second match in Croke Park - Ireland vs England - 24th February 2007 Bloody Sunday In the arena in 1920 a massacre which became known as the first “Bloody Sunday” took place during a football match when members of the British army opened fire on the crowd and players. 14 people were killed, two of those being players. These events have survived in the collective memory of the Gaelic Athletic Association who named one of the stands, The Hogan Stand, in memory of Michael Hogan, one of the players who died.
More information: www.crokepark.ie |