
NI building firm hits milestone in £33.5m Croke Park hotel project
A topping-out ceremony has now marked its structural completion, with guests including GAA president Jarlath Burns as well as senior representatives of Dalata and McAleer & Rushe.
The 200-bedroom, four-star hotel is due to open next year and will include a business centre with five meeting rooms, a gym and a full-service bar and restaurant.
It's located next to Croke Park Stadium, which McAleer & Rushe said offered 'immediate access' to the GAA stadium, along with connectivity to Dublin Airport, major roads and public transport.
Dalata Hotel Group, Ireland's largest hotel operator, will manage the hotel under its Maldron brand. To date, McAleer & Rushe has delivered more than 3,000 hotel bedrooms for Dalata across Ireland and Great Britain.
The hotel will have environmentally-friendly features such as green roofs, air source heat pumps and EV charging points, and will feature a traditional red brick façade.
Mr Burns said: 'Congratulations to all parties concerned in reaching this significant milestone in the project.
"The views of Croke Park are spectacular and I have no doubt that the addition of this superb facility will be welcomed by visitors to the stadium and the area in general.
"Partnering with Dalata, sponsors of the GAA Football U20 Football Championship, has been a positive experience and we look forward to the completion of the project.'
Seamus McAleer, chairman of McAleer & Rushe, and its chief executive Eamonn Laverty, said: 'It was a pleasure to bring together key stakeholders to celebrate this important milestone and reflect on the collective effort that has brought this flagship development to life.
"Nearly two decades after delivering the Croke Park Hotel for the GAA, we are proud to once again contribute our expertise to a project of such significance, while strengthening our successful partnership with both the GAA and our long-standing client, Dalata.'
Behind-the-scenes look at filming for How to Train Your Dragon in Northern Ireland ahead of release
Dermot Crowley, CEO of Dalata Hotel Group, added: 'Today's event represents a major milestone in delivering this landmark hotel, and I am delighted to be here to celebrate this moment alongside our partners and stakeholders, McAleer & Rushe and the GAA.
"This achievement highlights the strength of our partnership with the GAA, a relationship founded on our shared values of commitment, excellence, and community spirit.
"As title sponsors of the U20 All-Ireland Football Championship, we understand the importance of investing in the future, both in sport and in the communities we serve.
"This hotel will further strengthen our presence in Dublin creating local jobs, supporting the economy, and welcoming more visitors to the city.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BreakingNews.ie
13 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
David Clifford hopeful Jack O'Connor will continue as Kerry manager in 2026
Kerry star David Clifford is hopeful Jack O'Connor will continue as manager in 2026 after guiding them to the All-Ireland. Following their All-Ireland final win over Donegal, O'Connor, who is in his third spell in charge, hinted his time in charge could be coming to an end. Advertisement Having won several All-Ireland's, O'Connor is yet to win back-to-back titles, and Clifford hopes he will be around next season to get his hands on Sam Maguire once again. "It would be great if we could keep it the same way it was for last year. "I thought we had a brilliant set-up so hopefully they'll figure things out.". A year in which questions were raised about Kerry, the Kingdom were the deserved winners after a convincing win over Donegal in July, which followed wins over fellow Ulster sides Cavan, Armagh, and Tyrone. Advertisement After their final group stage game, which was a shock defeat to Meath, pundits and former players had their doubts over Kerry. However, those questions were answered following an emphatic second half win performance over Armagh, which Clifford says was important after the dfeeat to Meath "It was pointless having the Armagh performance if we didn't back it up. That was a big motivation for us. "The Armagh performance was great, but we had to back it up in the next two games. The way the season was structured, it nearly felt like we didn't deserve to have a second chance. Advertisement "We had the home game against Cavan, so it wasn't the end of the world in that sense. The fact it was week on week, we didn't have much time to reflect. We had a game the following week, so you couldn't feel sorry for yourself. "We were bad against Meath, if we produced another performance like that we wouldn't have been winning. We were miles off it in terms of physicality and aggression. It just felt like we were flat coming into the game. "We let people down. We let our management down, we let the Kerry supporters down. So we were disappointed." At the age of 26, Clifford is viewed already by some as the greatest to ever play the sport. Advertisement With two Player of the Year awards in the last three years, and in line for a third in October, the awards and trophies are likely to keep coming for the Kerry forward. However, just like everyone else, Clifford has moments where he doubts about himself. "You have doubts every day, 'am I still good enough?' I think everybody has those. It's natural to have doubts in all walks of life." Contributing to Clifford's season was the new rules, which allowed him to score two points and give him more space in vital moments of games. In a successful season under the new rules, the Kerry forward says he enjoyed playing under them, while also enjoyed watching so many forwards have a good season. "I thought they were very enjoyable, I thought they were very enjoyable. "There was a lot more space, more kick passing. I thought fowardsa played well this year, so that is obviously great for me. I enjoyed it."


Belfast Telegraph
19 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Young people unite at sports camp after previous row over event cancelled in Co Down
Cricket Ireland hosted the event in the grounds of Stormont estate which saw youngsters from across Northern Ireland and Co Donegal play sport together. Junior Ministers Aisling Reilly and Pam Cameron also attended the Cricket Connects Camp at the Civil Service Cricket Club on Tuesday. In July a planned summer sports camp event in Comber, Co Down, was called off after concerns were voiced by some over the participation of the GAA. North Down Cricket Club then said it cancelled the event because it felt the spirit of the camp was at risk of being lost. Cricket Ireland announced its intention to step in and arrange a similar sports camp at Stormont. On Tuesday young people, described as being from a wide range of sporting backgrounds, including GAA, hockey, and rugby, took part in the camp. Cricket Ireland said the event forms part of its ongoing commitment to growing grassroots participation and work in partnership with other sporting bodies to break down barriers and create shared opportunities for young people. Cricket Ireland chairman Brian MacNeice said the event offered the young people an opportunity to try different sports. 'Cricket is one of the most welcoming sports in Ireland and we have a long, proud history of working collaboratively with other sporting bodies and community groups to encourage kids to get involved in physical activities,' he said. 'As a sport, cricket is for everyone, but while today's camp offered a chance for many local kids to try cricket for the first time, it also allowed them to experience each other's sports in a fun and supportive setting. 'Looking around us, what is obvious to me is the power of sport as a means to bring people together, promote inclusiveness and strengthen community bonds, particularly among the next generation.' MLA Kellie Armstrong 'disgusted' after children's cricket club cancelled after opposition to GAA Club Mr MacNeice added: 'This event was a true team effort to put together. 'We would like to thank Sport NI and the NI Government for their support, NICSSA for providing this fantastic venue and our sports industry partners for their enthusiasm and commitment. 'We also couldn't have done it without the many cricket community volunteers, community partners and sponsors who ensured this year's event went ahead in style.'


BBC News
20 hours ago
- BBC News
Former Ulster GAA president Galligan dies
Ulster GAA has expressed "deep sorrow and profound shock" at the death of its former president Oliver Galligan. Galligan served as the 37th president of the Ulster Council between 2019 and 2022, a term which saw the Cavan native help guide the organisation through the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to roles as Ulster GAA PRO, treasurer and vice-president, Galligan was a member of the Casement Park Stadium Board, while he also served on the Central Competitions Control Committee and Croke Park Stadium a player, Galligan won three Cavan titles with Cavan Gaels and played senior inter-county football with the Breffni County between 1969 and 1973. He also captained Cavan to an Ulster minor title in served as Cavan Gaels chairman and as a member of Cavan's county board for 15 years, he joined the Ulster Council as an officer in 2010. "Ulster GAA expresses profound sorrow at Oliver's passing and we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Frances, his sons John and Oliver (Jnr), his daughter Elaine (Peter), and the wider Galligan family circle during this time of great loss. "We remember also his colleagues at Cavan Gaels and in Cavan GAA. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all."