Gaelic Grounds
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2008) |
Páirc na nGael | |
 | |
| Location | Ennis Road, Limerick, County Limerick, V94 CF77, Ireland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 52°40′12″N 8°39′15″W / 52.67000°N 8.65417°W |
| Public transit | Limerick Colbert Railway Station Northtown Shopping Centre Bus Stop Ennis Road Bus Stop |
| Owner | Limerick GAA |
| Capacity | 44,023 |
| Field size | 137 m × 82 m (449 ft × 269 ft) |
| Surface | grass |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1928 |
| Renovated | 2004 |
The Gaelic Grounds, known for sponsorship reasons as the TUS Gaelic Grounds,[3] is the principal GAA stadium in the city of Limerick in Ireland. Home to the Limerick hurling and football teams, it has a capacity of 44,023.[2]
History
[edit]9 October 1926 saw first steps taken towards creating the Limerick Gaelic Grounds. A farm containing 12 acres (4.9 ha) was purchased at Coolraine on the Ennis Road for development as a GAA sports ground. Two years later, the new grounds at Páirc na nGael were officially opened with two junior hurling games. The first big effort to raise funds for the development of the grounds was in 1932, with the establishment of a development committee, whose remit was to level the pitch, providing sideline seating and erect a boundary wall.[citation needed]
The 1950s saw crowds of up to 50,000 attending games in the grounds.[4] In 1958, a new stand was built at the grounds. This stand, the Old Hogan Stand from Croke Park, was dismantled in Dublin and reassembled at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick.
There was record paid attendance at the stadium, of 61,174, for the Munster hurling final between Cork and Tipperary in 1961.[4] It has been estimated that a further 10,000 spectators attended this game, without paying, after the gates were broken down.[citation needed]
In 1979, a decision was taken to update the grounds completely. It took three years before plans were drawn up for a new stand and, in 1986, planning permission was granted by Limerick Corporation for the Mick Mackey Stand. The updated stand was completed in 1988,[4] just in time for the Munster hurling final.
In 2004, the biggest rejuvenation of the Gaelic Grounds was completed with the opening of a new uncovered 12,000 seater stand along with two new terraces behind both goals at a cost of €12 million. While this brought the capacity to 49,866,[1] to comply with health and safety restrictions and due to renovation works in subsequent years, the maximum official capacity stands at 44,023.[2]
In 2014, the stadium played host to an All Ireland SFC semi-final replay between Mayo and Kerry. This was the first time in over thirty years that a semi-final of the SFC had been played outside Croke Park.[citation needed] Over 36,000 attended the game.[5]
In 2019, Limerick GAA and Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) entered a partnership agreement,[6] the first of its kind in Ireland, which included the renaming of the stadium as LIT Gaelic Grounds. The partnership included elements such as a scholarship scheme, student internships and shared facilities.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gaelic Grounds was used as a drive-through test centre.[7]
Other sports
[edit]The Gaelic Grounds hosted an American college football game in 1991. The game, known as the Wild Geese Classic, was held on 16 November 1991 between the Fordham Rams and Holy Cross Crusaders. The Crusaders won the game 24-19 to take the Ram-Crusader Cup.[8]
In 2010, as part of the 2010 International Rules Series, the stadium hosted an International Rules Series between Australia and Ireland.[9][10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Limerick". Munster GAA. 6 April 2009. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
- ^ a b c "Munster Hurling final gets Presidential seal of approval". Limerick Leader. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
- ^ "TUS Gaelic Grounds". limerick.ie.
- ^ a b c "Munster final to set new attendance record". hoganstand.com. 13 July 2008. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
- ^ "All-Ireland Senior Football S-Final Replay – Kerry 3-16 Mayo 3-13". munster.gaa.ie. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
- ^ "New dawn for Limerick GAA as LIT Gaelic Grounds name change becomes official". Limerick Leader. Limerick Leader. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ Reinhardt, Cian (20 March 2020). "LIT Gaelic Grounds to become site COVID-19 drive-thru testing site". Limerick Post. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- ^ Clarity, James F. (17 November 1991). "College Football; Old Sod Or New, Crusaders Just Win". New York Times. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
- ^ Moran, Seán (25 October 2010). "Below-par Ireland just about hang on". Irish Times. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
- ^ "Ireland 40 (1-8-10) - 47 (0-14-5) Australia". rte.ie. 23 October 2010. Archived from the original on 26 October 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
External links
[edit]- World Stadium Article Archived 12 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine
