History of Hill 16 and Croke Park

The area now known as Croke Park was originally an Athletics Course popularly known as Jones Road Sportsground and owned by a Maurice Butterly. From the foundation of the GAA in 1884 this "Butterly's Ground" was used by the organisation regularly for Gaelic Games and Athletics. In 1896 the 2 All-Irelands for 1895 were played in the ground signifying the growing importance of the suburban plot for the ever growing GAA.

Recognising the potential of the Jones Road sportsground a GAA member - Frank Dineen borrowed much of the £3,250 asking price and bought the ground personally in 1908. Only in 1913 did the GAA come into exclusive ownership of the plot when they purchased it from the said Dineen for £3,500. 3 years before this Dineen had had to sell part of the gounds to the Jesuits of Belvedere College. This portion of Croke Park was repurchased by the GAA in 1991 - doubtless with a small profit for the Jesuits and more than part financed by the unexpected cash taken in that year during the extraordinary Dublin -Meath saga - to facilitate development.

Once the GAA bought the ground it became known as Croke Park in honour of Archbishop Croke - one of the GAA's first patrons.

In 1913 Croke Park had 2 stands on what is now known as the Hogan stand side and grassy banks all round. All in all it would have borne little resemblance to the Croke Park of the new Millennium.

Little did the rebels of 1916 think that their actions would change the course of Irish history but also that the rubble left over from the destruction of O'Connell St. would be used to construct a grassy hill on the railway end of Croke Park to afford patrons a better view of the pitch which by now hosted all major football and hurling matches. Built in 1917 but forever immortalised as Hill 16 it is perhaps one of the most famous terraces in the world. Hill 16 was redeveloped in 1989 to accommodate over 10,000 fans (mostly blue) in safety. Despite alteration it has never lost its character. Unfortunately plan afoot offer a serious threat to the institution that is Hill 16.

Croke Park made worldwide headlines in November 1920 when Black & Tans British soldiers raided the ground, shooting indiscriminately into the crowd killing 13 during a Dublin-Tipperary football match. The dead included 11 spectators comprising a 10 year old, an 11 year old and a 14 year old. 2 Players lay dead on the pitch Jim Egan and Michael Hogan. The latter Tipperary's captain gave his name posthumously to the Hogan stand built in a little over 3 years later in 1924 and upgraded in 1959. The British actions were reprisals for the assassination of 14 British intelligence officers by Michael Collins' G Squad who had been sent over from London to destroy Collins' network.

The Cusack stand was built in 1927 and named after Michael Cusack from Clare - one of the founding fathers of the GAA. The Cusack was seated in the late 1960's thus dramatically reducing maximum capacity. A Thorough redevelopment in the 1990's has seen the Cusack rebuilt as one of the most modern and impressive stands in the world. Rather unfortunately it was rechristened (hopefully temporarily) the "New" stand although to most it will always be the Cusack.

The Hogan stand is still the stand where dignatories tale their seats during matches but it too is due to be remodelled dramatically over the coming years. In October 1999 work began on the demolition of this famous stand. The new Hogan stand is due for completion in 2003.

The Sam Maguire cup (footballs greatest prize) - named after a London IRA activist was awarded for the 1st time in Croke Park to Kildare in 1928 while Limerick claimed its Hurling equivalent the Liam MacCarthy cup in 1921.

Throughout the century the GAA has used "Croker" well over 100 million people have filed into the ground. The greatest attendance ever was in 1961 - the football final between Down and Offaly attracted 90,556. Such attendance is now sadly impossible since the seating of the Cusack stand.

Croke Park is practically home to the Dubs - Dublins football team in particular which has played there more than any other team. Most of Dublins 22 Championships have been won on the hallowed turf of Croke Park.