Client: The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA)
Main contractor: John Sisk and Sons Ltd
Architect: HOK Sport
Engineer: Horgan Lynch
As with all sacred sporting venues, the mere mention of redevelopment is bound to cause controversy. The emergence over a decade of a bold new stadium has now allayed the fears of many. Purchased in 1913 by the GAA, the facility initially consisted of two stands located where the Hogan Stand is now situated, with grassy banks on the other sides. From these humble origins has sprung a world class sporting facility where the fortunes of present and future generations will be played out in a uniquely Irish way.
The rebirth of Croke Park began with the building of the new Cusack stand in 1997. This was followed by the development of the Canal End and most recently the new Hogan Stand. Standing 35 metres high, the stadium towers over the neighboring inner-city streets of Dublin. The stadium is constructed in three tiers, consisting of a main concourse, a premium level and the upper concourse which provides world class facilities including bars, restaurants, conference facilities and a GAA museum.
The design team included HOK Sport (now known as Populous), Gilroy McMahon Architects and engineering firm Horgan Lynch. Concast designed, erected and installed all raker beams, seating units, wall panels, floor slabs, stair and landings in this redevelopment which had a total project cost of approximately €140 million. Over 3,600 seating units and 40,000 sqm of hollowcore flooring were installed on the completion of this 82,000 capacity stadium.