The GAA have given fans from far and wide the opportunity to experience Croke Park at close quarters by beginning guided tours of the redeveloped stadium. The tours, which will last about an hour, will comprise of a number of stops that will take in the key areas of the stadium. Much of it will comprise of 'behind the scenes' insights into match days, including the players' entrance, team dressing rooms and the tunnel up to the pitch.
The tour will also be brought to the sideline and will be told about the new pitch being laid at the moment. Tours of Croke Park have been made available in the past but they were of necessity basic in nature. With the redevelopment of the stadium, the new tour is expected to generate great interest among the general public.
Tim Carey, the GAA Museum Manager, will be co-ordinating the tours, and he revealed: "The need for a structured tour of Croke Park has been apparent to many people for a long time. With the imminent completion of the Hogan Stand the time seemed right to start scheduled stadium tours."
The main stop on the tour will be in the Cusack Stand. Visitors will also be brought to the Premium Level at the Canal End, the Hall of Fame area, to a corporate box and will gain an insight into the vast catering operation that goes into match day at Croke Park. When the Hogan Stand is completed it will also form part of the tour.
Tours will not run on match days and may be restricted on other days. Groups must pre-book their tour (un-booked groups cannot be accommodated and a maximum of thirty will be allowed in each group) while tours for individuals will be at scheduled times. Further Information is available from the GAA Museum, Croke Park, Dublin 3. Telephone 01- 855-8176, Fax 01-855-8104.
Filed by Shane Murray
