Review: Croke Park Skyline. A Stadium Roof Walk in Dublin
Croke Park Skyline Visitor Guide
Is Croke Park Skyline Worth Visiting?
Confession time. I'm not a huge Gaelic Sports fan (you'll learn why). I was worried it would just be a sports tour but it's not. It's a Dublin tour on the roof of a sports stadium.
Even as a Dublin tour guide myself who knows the city well, it was a very different perspective up here and you could see the progress that the city has made over the years. It's no longer a dull grey city, it's a modern capital that happens to have a beautiful natural setting. I recommend the Croke Park Roof Walk as worth visiting.
Score: 8/10
What is Croke Park?
Croke Park is the headquarters of the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association). It's the 4th largest stadium in Europe with 82,300 capacity and hosts the All-Ireland finals, Ireland's version of the Super Bowl.
The two Gaelic sports are football and hurling. Uniquely Irish sports that you won't see anywhere else in the world.
What is Croke Park Skyline Tour?
The Skyline is a 0.6km walkway around the roof of Croke Park Stadium, 44 meters (17 storeys) high. It's Dublin's highest viewing platform with five vantage points giving 360 degree views of the city.
The GAA Museum at the end is the only really sports dedicated part. The rest is pure Dublin from above.
The Tour Experience
The tour starts at the GAA Museum under the Cusack Stand. After check-in, we walked under the stand and up to the upper tier where we sat for an introduction to the tour before heading up on the roof.
The Guide
Our guide Phil was a real Dubliner. Full of stories that he lived and didn't learn from a book. I'm biased because I am tour guide in Dublin but it's the guides that bring the city to life and especially Irish guides. We're a funny bunch 😄
He talked about Bloody Sunday in 1920 when the hated British Black & Tans opened fire on the fans at a hurling match. 14 fans were killed that day.
On a lighter note, he talked about the concerts that have been held here. Bruce Springsteen, U2, Garth Brooks, Coldplay, Take That, and Taylor Swift.
He explained the historical significance of allowing foreign sports to be played here, which was controversial for the GAA, but necessary when the other stadium in Dublin used for rugby and soccer was being redeveloped.
My dad is actually banned from GAA for life because in 1950 he played the foreign sport of soccer while also playing Gaelic football for his county!
The Croke Park Roof
From there we walked up some steps to the roof of Croke Park to begin the skyline tour.
I don't like heights but it's very wide and solid. You are walking in the middle of a strong steel structure, not on the edge of a cliff like in Howth. The one platform that goes further out over the pitch connects you with a carabiner to a safety rail, but that's complete overkill. I'm sure some overzealous insurance company makes them do it.
You walk around 3 sides of the stadium. The 4th side is the famous Hill 16 and is a standing terrace with no roof.
The Five Viewing Platforms
- Platform 1: Views toward Phoenix Park and west Dublin
- Platform 2: Views toward The Spire and city center landmarks
- Platform 3: Views toward Dublin Bay and Howth Head
- Platform 4: Views toward the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains
- Platform 5: The suspended walkway over the pitch
Video From Croke Park Skyline Tour
Crowds and Duration
There were 12 people on my tour and 10 were Irish, so it shows how authentic it is. With all these Irish folks, we all quickly got chatting and figuring out if we knew each other. Nevermind Kevin Bacon's 6 degrees of separation, Irish people usually on have 1 degree. So if you want a great taste of real Irish culture, do this tour.
You can see from my photos that there were lots of kids playing Gaelic football on the legendary Croke Park pitch. Another example of how GAA is very community based and 'Croker' as we call it, is for the people.
The tour takes 90 minutes with about 50 minutes on the roof. You must climb 100 steps up and 100 steps down.
Weather
The day I went was a nice warm day with clear views over all of Dublin. But I'm sure it gets chilly up there on more typically Irish weather days. Wrap up well!
Tours may be cancelled in extreme weather conditions. In Ireland, extreme is subjective.
The GAA Museum
The museum is interesting even for non sports fans. Gaelic games are such an integral part of Irish communities. No one gets paid. You play for your home county only, no trades, no fees, just home town pride. 82% of income goes back into the community. It is the center of most rural villages.
If you have Irish heritage, it's a great to pick up a souvenir of a jersey from your ancestral home county.
Practical Information
Getting There: Croke Park is a 40 minute walk from Trinity College or 15 minutes by bus/taxi. There's not much to see in the surrounding areas.
Where to Eat: Shouk in Drumcondra is a 10 minute walk away and is a very good Middle Eastern restaurant. One of my favorites in Dublin. You could go to some of the famous pre-game pubs but during the week they're not as good.
Croke Park Skyline Tour Tickets: You can only book on crokepark.ie/skyline
When to Go: It's a good tour to do on your arrival morning after a red-eye flight. It's on a rooftop and keeps you awake, plus shows you Dublin.
Darragh
Hotels Near Croke Park
Croke Park Hotel is right next door.
Hotel One is a superb hotel and is often lower priced than more central hotels. Plus you get a look at more local Dublin.
Darragh
Is Croke Park Skyline Worth Visiting?
Yes, especially if you want to see Dublin from a completely different perspective. It's authentic Irish culture, not a touristy thing and gives you brilliant views of the city's transformation into a modern European capital.
Score: 8.5/10
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Darragh
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Croke Park Roof Walk Photo Gallery
