History

The where Croke Park now stands was originally known as the "City and Suburban Racecourse". The GAA used the facilities frequently and in 1908 Frank Dineen bought the 14 Acre site for £3,250. In 1913 the GAA bought the site from Frank, for £3,500, and immediately renamed the ground "Croke Park", after the association's first patron, Archbishop Croke of Cashel. Croke Park was developed and redeveloped over the coming decades, as finances dictated. The "Railway End", also known as "Hill 16", was constructed from the rubble left after the 1916 Easter Rising - the most famous of many Irish Rebellions against British Rule. The first "Hogan Stand" (named after Tipperary Footballer Michael Hogan who was killed on "Bloody Sunday" when the Black and Tans raided the grounds) was built in 1924, and the construction of The Cusack Stand (named after Michael Cusack, one of the original founding members of the GAA) began in 1937. The Canal End was to follow in 1949, and in 1952 the Nally Stand, named after Pat Nally, was built. Following reconstruction at the start of this century, the stands have been re-built as one continuous structure, while Hill 16 remains as a terrace. The new Cusack Stand, is 180 metres long, an 35 metres high, seats 25,000 people and contains 46 hospitality suites. There are four layers from which viewing games is possible: the main concourse; a premium level incorporating hospitality facilities; the hospitality suites level; and finally an upper concourse. The capacity of the stadium, following it's reconstruction, stands at 82,300.