Croke Park launches new accessibilty services
Croke Park has recently launched two new accessibility services aimed at making match days more inclusive for those with accessibility needs.
The new Sensory Room is designed to support spectators who may have sensory processing needs, while a new Audio Descriptive Commentary service intends to make sports more accessible for blind or vision-impaired supporters.
Located in the GAA museum, Croke's Park's Sensory Room - also known as Cú Chulainn's Corner - aims to offer a place of solace and relaxation, away from the commotion of the stadium.
Thirteen-year-old Jackie McCullagh, who is blind, says facilities such as the Sensory Room in Croke Park are essential for people like him.
"I find loud noises quite hard sometimes because I'm blind, so I perceive all my information through my ears. So I'd like to just step into somewhere that's quiet and then after a while go back into the noise again."
Jackie explains that this new facility has made a real difference for him, as he's now more likely to attend matches, as well as other events.
He said: "even if I don't end up using it, I just know I've got that option. It would encourage me to go to other things. If there was an artist I wanted to see, I wouldn't have gone previously. Whereas I might consider it now".
GAA President Jarlath Burns welcomed the launch, describing the Sensory Room as a place of comfort and sanctuary - an important addition in a national stadium such as Croke Park.
"I think that all public buildings and organizations should be focused very, very strongly on neurodiversity.
"One of our values is inclusion. We are the place where we all belong, and that should not just be where people who are playing our games belong, but for everybody who has an interest in Irish culture, or in our games," Mr Burns said.
"We should be able to play a part on their terms, not them coming to our terms. And I think that's what inclusion is all about," he added.
Croke Park's Sensory Room and Audio Descriptive Commentary Service officially launched on 19 May.
These services are part of Croke Park's wider efforts to improve accessibility and ensure that as many supporters as possible can enjoy the match day experience at the stadium.
The Audio Descriptive Commentary Service is a collaboration between Croke Park and Vision Sports Ireland, the National Governing Body for promoting sport and physical activity for people who are blind and vision impaired.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Premier League club among Troy Parrott suitors while Serie A outfits keeping tabs on Dara O'Shea
TROY PARROTT will hope to avoid any howlers tonight — as Premier League Wolves eye up the Ireland ace. The Aviva Stadium will be a shop window as Heimir Hallgrimsson's Boys in Green Advertisement 2 Parrott was struggling with an illness earlier this week 2 Dara O'Shea could be set to stay in the Premier League in spite of Ipswich Town's relegation AZ Alkmaar striker Parrott, who trained yesterday A return to England for Parrott has been mooted after he hit 20 goals last term for AZ. The former Spurs man, 23, is understood to be a target for a number of clubs including Wolves. AZ lost the Dutch Cup final to Go Ahead Eagles to miss out on Europa League qualification. Advertisement Read More On Irish Football And while they subsequently won a play-off to make the Conference League, they would be willing to cash in on their prized asset if the price is right. SunSport revealed yesterday that O'Shea is also It is understood Serie A clubs are watching him closely. The 26-year-old is under contract at Ipswich but looks set to leave Portman Road following their relegation just a year after he joined the Tractor Boys. Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive Exclusive Live Blog Another Ireland player with admirers is Leicester winger Kasey McAteer, 23, with Premier League new boys Sunderland sniffing around after the Foxes' relegation. McAteer is expected to move on as Leicester have to sell players to meet Football League financial requirements or risk a points deduction. Ex-Arsenal starlet jailed over plot to smuggle £600k of cannabis into UK Sunderland are understood to be planning to watch him tonight or on Tuesday in Luxembourg.
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Heimir Hallgrimsson reveals element of Senegal friendly that makes it perfect preparation for Portugal in World Cup bid
WHEN Senegal were unveiled as friendly opponents for Ireland, Heimir Hallgrimsson stressed the importance of such games to prepare for a World Cup. With our last global finals appearance almost a quarter of a century ago, it has been a long time since Irish fans have dared look that far ahead. 3 Heimir Hallgrimsson believes the friendly against Senegal will be perfect preparation for Ireland's World Cup bid Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 3 Ireland face the African side at the Aviva Stadium tonight Credit: AFP or licensors And most would probably settle for the team being able to hold its own in In reality , the fact that Yet at 19th in the world, Senegal were — after the And, with 20 games played since their last defeat, they boast the longest current unbeaten run in international football . Read More on Ireland MNT Ending that before they go on to play Pape Thiaw's team reached a record Ivory Coast may have edged them out on penalties in the Most read in Football Prior to that, they had gone nine consecutive games without defeat meaning just one loss in 30. By way of contrast, Ireland have been beaten 16 times in their last 30. Watch Robbie Brady aim hilarious dig at Ireland teammates after winning Player of the Year award After The Three Lions scored seven times without reply over two And Hallgrimsson is pleased with what he says are signs of improvement. He said: 'I would say we have taken a step, both defensively and in attack. We have tried to simplify things, some things we like to repeat all the time. Some things the players are starting to understand, what to think when you win the ball, where to look, our identity is clearer and clearer every camp we play and we try to hammer that home. 'As I have said often, going to a club, playing for your club for three months and then coming in for a week with the national team, the most important thing is to try and sink in how we should think as a team, defend as a team, what are the principles here. 'It might be totally different at your club. That's the most important thing in a national team, that the principles are 100 per cent. If you don't have the basics then details don't matter. 'We try to hammer in the basics, in our principles defending and our principles in attack. 'Hopefully you see it, but we see it when we analyse the game, show them the clips of the good things that are happening. For me, it's because they are thinking now more and more the same way.' STYLES CLASH But he acknowledged Ireland will be coming up against a completely different style of football to what they have faced to date. It has been 15 years since the Boys in Green took on African opposition, beating Algeria 3-1 at the RDS during Giovanni Trapattoni's reign. That is, in part, down to the reduced number of friendlies in international football but more to do with Ireland's absence from the Hallgrimsson said: 'If you look at their matches and how they play, massive physicality, I'd say not only speed but running power, they come at you again and again, they look for the space behind you. 'If you watch Afcon, a team like Senegal are specialists in finding pockets to play into, to run into, a third man running in, so we will be tested defensively massively in this game if they play like they have done. 'In their last 20 games they haven't lost. It's amazing for a national team to play 20 games without losing and, before that again, nine games without losing so they are a massive team. 'The first goal is important and that's another aspect of the game when we play them, and individual qualities, similar to 'Everything happens a little bit quicker when we need to defend — if we are ready for that it's a good preparation for 'It's a different kind of opponent, they are looking for spaces behind us and it doesn't happen that often in Europe. Normally there are a few passes before the teams play behind us but that's one of the things we need to look at and improve.' TOPPING THE PILE Portugal's Nations League semi- final win over But the ambition remains to top that group because the play-offs are as much a trap door as a back door. Hallgrimsson added: 'If you end up second, you need to go through two play-off matches to qualify. So everybody's eyes at the beginning of the tournament are on first spot. 'And I think looking at the group, there will be lost points, even for Portugal. So we just need to take care of ourselves and let's see where that brings us.' For now, tonight's game, and Tuesday's match in Luxembourg, will be about preparation for September when With Tonight's starting side may not resemble the line-up in September, given Josh Cullen has been rested and others such as Sammie Szmodics and But Hallgrimsson — who will check on how He said: 'I wouldn't mind losing both these games if we won both games in September, but obviously we want to win all of our matches and we go to every match to win it. 'It is important that we have more than 11 players ready to play. 'There is a different type of individual but the principles are the same and we'd like to introduce the principles to as many players as possible. We never know what's going to happen in September, October, November.' 3 Evan Ferguson and Andrew Moran, right, during a Republic of Ireland training session Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Pilot health checks for lung cancer being brought to high-risk people in Louth, Meath and Cavan
Participants for the Beaumont RCSI Irish Cancer Society lung health check are being chosen as part of a study targeting those aged between 55-74 years, who currently or previously smoked, as they are at higher risk than others of getting lung cancer. The study will involve participants from selected Centric Health GP practices in the North Dublin and northeast region. Invited participants will then attend a mobile lunch check unit in O'Raghalliagh's GAA Club in Drogheda. The participating GP practices in Drogheda include: Bryanstown Medical Centre; Fairgate Medical Practice; Hilltop Drogheda; and Northgate Surgery. In Dundalk, The Square Medical is included. Meanwhile, in Meath the Trim Medical, Headfort Family Practice is included and in Cavan, The Cottage Baileborough is included. Participants from Ashbourne Clinic, Meath will attend a mobile health unit in Fingallians GAA Club Swords. Participation invites will be sent through a letter of invitation to take part in the study, along with a leaflet with more details of the process. A team member will then be in touch to specify a date and time for a screening. Invites can also be turned down, with details provided on how to opt out. CEO of the Irish Cancer Society Averil Power said: 'This historic investment by the Irish Cancer Society marks a turning point for lung cancer in Ireland. Lung cancer kills more Irish people every year than any other cancer, mainly because it is diagnosed late when it is difficult to treat. 'We are confident this pilot programme will save lives by detecting cancer early. We hope that in time it will lead to a free national lung check programme for all Irish people at high risk of getting lung cancer.' Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Ireland, with six in every 10 lung cancer diagnoses detected at a late stage when it is harder to treat. The Lung Health Check is part of a €4.9m partnership between Irish Cancer Society and Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre, funded by the Irish Cancer Society, to drive improvements in lung cancer early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.
