VISITOR ATTRACTION: what’s new and what’s cool at Dublin’s GAA Museum at Croke Park

Located at Croke Park Stadium, Saint Joseph’s Avenue, Dublin 3, D03 P6K7, the GAA Museum is a state-of-the-art interactive attraction celebrating the history, culture, and passion of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), the governing body for Gaelic games like hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, and handball. Housed in the iconic Croke Park, the third-largest stadium in Europe with an 82,300 capacity, the museum offers an immersive experience into Ireland’s unique sporting heritage, earning a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice ‘Hall of Fame’ award for its visitor attractions. The museum was originally storylined in 1998 by Eoghan Corry of Travel Extra.

Museum Exhibits:

Historical Journey: The museum vividly traces the story of Gaelic games from ancient times to the present, highlighting their cultural, social, and sporting significance since the GAA’s founding in 1884. Exhibits include ancient hurling balls from the 15th century, a rugby ball used for Gaelic football by 1916 prisoners in Frongoch camp, and a hurl owned by Michael Collins.
Trophy Room: Visitors can view the original Sam Maguire Cup (All-Ireland Senior Football Championship) and Liam MacCarthy Cup (All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship), iconic symbols of GAA success.
Imreoir to Bainisteoir Exhibition: This showcase celebrates the rare 30 players (13 hurlers, 11 footballers, 6 camogie players) who won All-Ireland medals as both players and managers, featuring legends like Mick O’Dwyer, Kevin Heffernan, Brian Cody, and Ann Downey. It includes memorabilia, film footage, and imagery.
Remembering Bloody Sunday: A poignant exhibition commemorates the 1920 tragedy at Croke Park, where 14 civilians were killed by British forces during a Dublin-Tipperary match, offering insights into this pivotal moment in Irish history.
Hall of Fame: A rousing tribute to legendary GAA players, showcasing jerseys, trophies, and personal stories.
Interactive Games Zone: A popular second-floor area where visitors can test their Gaelic football and hurling skills, practicing reaction speed, passing, high catches, or goalkeeping saves. This hands-on zone is a hit with families and sports enthusiasts.

Croke Park Stadium Tour:

The 60–75-minute guided tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at Croke Park, including the dressing rooms, players’ tunnel, media center, VIP areas, and pitchside access, where visitors can experience the “roar of the crowd” atmosphere. Guides like Linda or Senan are praised for their humor, knowledge, and passion, sharing stories of GAA history and Croke Park’s role in events like the 1996 Garth Brooks concert. Tours are wheelchair-accessible and include museum admission.
Junior Explorer Tour with Cluasóg: Designed for families with children under 8, this tour features the museum mascot, Cluasóg the Irish hare, guiding kids through clues in a Junior Explorer Passport, ending with a special surprise. It’s buggy-accessible and engaging for young visitors.
Ericsson Skyline Rooftop Tour: A thrilling 90-minute guided tour on Croke Park’s rooftop, 17 storeys high, offering panoramic views of Dublin’s landmarks (e.g., Dublin Bay, Wicklow Mountains) and insights into the stadium’s history. Safety harnesses ensure a secure experience, ideal for thrill-seekers and those seeking unique city perspectives. Expect a 2–3-hour visit combining the museum and a tour (stadium or skyline). The museum’s interactive exhibits, passionate guides, and vibrant atmosphere make it a must-visit for sports fans and those exploring Irish culture. Reviews highlight the engaging storytelling, family-friendly activities, and the emotional connection to Gaelic games, though some note match-day crowds can alter schedules. The museum is a 15-minute walk from Dublin city center, with free parking at the Cusack Stand via Saint Joseph’s Avenue.

Amenities:

Blackthorn Café: Offers snacks, light meals, and refreshments, ideal for a break between tours.
Gift Shop: Sells GAA merchandise, including jerseys, books, and souvenirs.
The museum and stadium tours are fully wheelchair-accessible, with lifts and adapted facilities. Buggies are welcome on Junior Explorer Tours.
Hours: Open daily, typically 9:30 AM–5:00 PM (June–August: 9:30 AM–6:00 PM), but hours may vary on match days (often weekends). Check www.crokepark.ie for updates.
Admission: Museum-only tickets are approximately €8 for adults, €6 for children (3–12), €7 for seniors/students, €22 for a family (2 adults + 2 children). Stadium Tour (including museum) costs €16 adults, €11 children, €12 seniors/students, €43 family. Skyline Tour prices are €22–€28 adults, €16–€20 children. Online bookings via www.crokepark.ie offer discounts, and the Dublin Pass includes free entry.

Getting There:

By Car: Free parking at Cusack Stand, Saint Joseph’s Avenue, D03 P6K7. From Dublin city center, it’s a 5-minute drive.
Public Transport: Dublin Bus routes 1, 7, 11, 14, 16, 38, 46A stop near Croke Park (Drumcondra Road or North Circular Road, 5-minute walk). Drumcondra DART station is a 10-minute walk, and Connolly Station is 15 minutes away.
Walking: A 15-minute walk from O’Connell Street via Mountjoy Square.

What’s New:

Santa at Croke Park: Running from November 24 to December 23, 2025, on select dates, this festive experience transforms the museum into a winter wonderland. Visitors meet Santa, enjoy elf-led activities, and receive gifts, with sensory-friendly sessions for visitors with hidden disabilities (e.g., ASD). The 1-hour event is wheelchair- and buggy-accessible, with tickets at €16 for children (2+), €8 for ages 1–2, €10 for adults, and free for under 1s. Pre-booking is essential via www.crokepark.ie/santa due to high demand.
Friends of the GAA Museum Programme: Launched recently, this initiative invites visitors to support the museum’s mission to preserve GAA archives and artifacts. Funds raised will enhance displays, acquire new items (e.g., historical jerseys), and support conservation, leading to refreshed exhibits or interactive elements. Visitors can join via www.crokepark.ie, contributing to the museum’s future development.
Keep an eye out for enhancements to the Imreoir to Bainisteoir exhibition and new artifacts, building on recent additions like Brian Cody’s baseball cap or Ursula Jacob’s hurling helmet. Check www.crokepark.ie for updates.
2025 GAA Events at Croke Park: The museum ties closely to Croke Park’s match calendar. Visitors can align museum visits with match days to experience the electric atmosphere.

Practical Tips:

Best Time to Visit: Midweek (Tuesday–Thursday) for fewer crowds and standard hours, avoiding match-day disruptions (weekends, e.g., June 1 or 8, 2025). Spring (March–May) offers mild weather, while November–December includes the Santa experience.
Booking: Pre-book tours and Santa visits online at www.crokepark.ie to secure spots and discounts. Contact gaamuseum@crokepark.ie or +353 (0)1 819 2323 for group bookings (10+).
Preparation: Allow 2–3 hours. Wear comfortable shoes for tours, especially the Skyline Tour (safety harness provided). Bring a camera for pitchside or rooftop views. Check match schedules to avoid restricted access.
Combine with Nearby Sites: Pair with EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum (10-minute drive), Glasnevin Cemetery (15-minute walk), or Botanic Gardens (10-minute drive) for a full Dublin day.

The GAA Museum offers an immersive dive into Ireland’s sporting soul, with interactive exhibits, thrilling tours, and festive Santa events, enhanced by new community initiatives like the Friends programme, making it a must-visit for sports fans and cultural explorers in Dublin