The Queen today made an historic visit to Croke Park during the second day of her equally historic four-day State Visit to the Republic of Ireland.
She is the first British monarch to visit Ireland since her grandfather George V 100 years ago in 1911. She is also the first British monarch ever to visit the Republic of Ireland. In George V's time, in 1911, the Republic of Ireland didn't exist and the whole of the island of Ireland was part of the UK, so George V was merely visiting a part of his own country. In 1922, however, what is now the Republic of Ireland seceded from the UK and it became a republic in 1949.
Today's visit by Elizabeth II to Dublin's Croke Park was something that the people of both the UK and the Republic of Ireland thought they would never see.
The reason is that the 82,000-seater stadium, where the Irish sports of Gaelic football and hurling are played, and which is the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletics Association (GAA) was the scene of a massacre in 1920 when British soldiers shot dead 14 people during a Gaelic football match in revenge for Irish nationalists shooting dead 14 British spies the night before. The British soldiers shot indiscriminately into the crowd of fans during the game between Dublin and Tipperary.
Whilst in the stadium, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, alongside the Irish President Mary McAleese, watched a programme on the stadium's big screen about the history of Gaelic football, Ireland's national sport.
Gaelic football grounds in the Republic of Ireland were closed to so-called 'foreign-sports' for decades but four years ago, history was made when Croke Park hosted an Ireland-England Six Nations rugby clash when Ireland's national rugby ground, Lansdowne Road, was being refurbished.
There were weeks of public debate about whether the British national anthem should be played at that stadium given the events of 1920 and concerns about disruption but it passed without trouble.
Also today, the Queen visited the Irish War Memorial Garden at Islandbridge in Dublin where she laid a wreath of poppies in honour of Ireland's war dead, including the many thousands who died fighting for the UK in the Great War when the whole of Ireland was part of the UK.
She and Irish President Mary McAleese then stepped back, bowed and observed a minute's silence as politicians from all sides looked on.
Guests at the ceremony included UK politicians such as Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson, former Northern Ireland secretary Peter Mandelson and church leaders.
Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, a member of the republican, nationalist Sinn Feinn party, had declined an invitation to attend the memorial service.
Apart from the sombre visits to Croke Park and Islandbridge, there was a more light-hearted moment when the Queen visited the Guinness Storehouse.
They watched the 'perfect pint' being poured by a master brewer after a tour of the popular tourist attraction in Dublin.
Ireland may be famous for the black stuff but the Queen's favourite tipple is gin and Dubonnet with ice and a slice of lemon.
Despite the best efforts of brewer Fergal Murray, both the Queen and her husband declined having a sip of the Guinness
The Duke of Edinburgh looked like he was ruing the decision not to have a sip in one picture which showed him looking longingly at the glass.
On arrival at Dublin yesterday, the Queen - appropriately wearing emerald green - was greeted as she got off the plane by Irish President Mary McAleese. She was then driven in a bulletproof and bombproof car to the Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin's Phoenix Park, the splendid white building from which the British used to govern Ireland but which is now the official residence of the President of the Republic of Ireland. It was there that she was greeted by the Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny.
Both the UK and the Republic of Ireland are closely linked. Not only are they each other's closest neighbours and the fact that both used to be unified as one country, but the peoples of each country speak the same language, the Irish are the largest minority group in Britain and vice versa and many British people have Irish descent.
Despite violent protests yesterday in Dublin by a group of Irish republican thugs known as Eirigi, which included the burning of the Union flag, polls show that the majority of the Irish people are in favour of this State Visit and hope that it will finally draw a line under the bloody past between the two neighbouring countries.
Queen visits scene of British massacre at Croke Park on frantic second day of Irish tour
By Daily Mail Reporter
18th May 2011
Daily Mail
The Queen today visited Croke Park, the sporting venue on the site of a British massacre of Irish civilians, as she continued her Irish tour.
The monarch stopped at the venue in Dublin, which is the home of Ireland's Gaelic Athletic Association, with Irish president Mary McAleese.
Her visit to the spot is another milestone in public acknowledgement of past wrongs committed by Britain during its rule of Ireland.
Auxiliaries killed 14 people during a Gaelic football challenge match at the park in 1920 in what became known as the first Bloody Sunday.
The attack was an apparent reprisal after Irish nationalists shot dead 14 undercover British soldiers the night before.
The Queen at Croke Park with Irish president Mary McAleese and GAA President Christy Cooney
The Queen at Croke Park, which was the scene of a British massacre back in 1920
Earlier on the second day of their whirlwind and historic tour, the Royal couple had followed in the footsteps of millions of other tourists by visiting the Guinness Storehouse.
They watched the 'perfect pint' being poured by a master brewer after a tour of the popular tourist attraction in Dublin.
Ireland is famous for the black stuff - but the Queen's favourite tipple is gin and Dubonnet with ice and a slice of lemon.
And both she and her husband resisted entreaties to sample the most famous of Irish exports, despite the best efforts of brewer Fergal Murray.
The Duke of Edinburgh looked like he was ruing the decision not to have a sip in one picture which showed him looking longingly at the glass.
At the bar: The Queen and Prince Philip were in great spirits during their tour of the Guinness storehouse
Looks tempting: Prince Philip eyes a pint of Guinness as he and the Queen tour the storehouse in Dublin
No takers: The pair watched Master Brewer Fergal Murray pour a pint but neither drank any
The Duke of Edinburgh laughs as he walks away from the full pint on the bar
The royal couple got a rundown on the secret of the stout during a visit to the renowned St James's Gate in the heart of working-class Dublin - the second day of their historic trip to the Irish Republic.
The Duke joked as the pint was delicately poured: 'Is it made with Liffey water?', referring to the river running through the Irish capital.
The Queen, this time dressed in white and turquoise, was also given a 'windows tour' of Dublin by host Ryan Tubridy from the sixth floor of the Gravity Bar.
Later, the Queen met Ireland's Taoiseach Enda Kenny and senior Cabinet members at Government Buildings in Dublin.
She was shown inside the Taoiseach's office, where there is a portrait of Michael Collins - the signatory to the 1921 Anglo-Irish treaty for the partition of Ireland (which saw the northern part of the island of Ireland remain in the UK according to its people's wishes but the rest of Ireland secede from the UK as a separate, independent nation).
The Union flag flew alongside the Irish tricolour on top of Government Buildings - built in the final years of British rule in Ireland - as the historic meeting took place.
The royal couple received a round of applause on two occasions from Irish government staff looking on.
The Queen and Irish President Mary McAleese at the Irish War Memorial Garden Islandbridge in Dublin
Bird's eye view: God Save The Queen was played at the ceremony at the Memorial
The Queen being handed a wreath and (right) armed Irish police officers guard the Irish War Memorial Gardens
Ring of steel: Irish police blocking off anti-British protesters
The royal couple sat by the fireside in the Taoiseach's office for a private talk with the Taoiseach and Mrs Kenny before being invited to sign the visitor's book.
They were shown two excerpts from the 1372 Waterford Charter roll, with Waterford museum director Eamonn McEneaney detailing the document.
Measuring some four metres, the parchment contains portraits of five medieval kings of England - Henry II, John, Henry III, Edward I and two contemporary portraits of King Edward III.
In a solemn tribute to Ireland's war dead, the Queen laid a poppy wreath at the Islandbridge memorial.
She and Irish President Mary McAleese then stepped back, bowed and observed a minute's silence as politicians from all sides looked on.
Guests at the ceremony including Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson, former Northern Ireland secretary Peter Mandelson and church leaders.
Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness had declined an invitation to attend the memorial service.
The ceremony builds on the symbolic reconciliation in 1998 when the Queen and the President unveiled a tower on the site of the battle of Messines Ridge in memory of the Irish dead of the First World War, and to inaugurate the Island of Ireland Peace Park.
It was the first public event undertaken by an Irish and British head of state.
The Union flag was flown alongside the Irish Tricolour, which was at half-mast, and the ceremony opened with a rendition of God Save The Queen.
Security concerns: Republican Eirigi demonstrate yesterday near the Garden of Remembrance where the Queen will visit during her stay
After the sounding of the Last Post, the flag was returned to full height and Ireland's national anthem, Amhran na bhFiann, was played.
Mr Robinson said afterwards: "Everyone remembers the past but we have to look to the future. There are clear indications as a society in the UK and Republic people are moving on. They want better relations and we are in a new era.'
He added that it was disappointing Sinn Fein were not present. 'It would have been an excellent opportunity to show respect for traditions that have otherwise not been shown that respect in the past,' he said.
Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny greeting the Queen at Goverment Buildings in Dublin today
The Queen and Prince Philip with Mr Kenny on the second day of their historic Irish trip
The Queen under a painting of Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins and (right) signing the visitor's book
The Queen and Prince Philip with Enda Kenny and his wife Fionnuala Kenny in the Taoiseach's office
David Cameron will also join the Queen today for part of her trip - highlighting the importance of the visit.
Mr Cameron will hold talks with Taoiseach Enda Kenny before joining the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at a lavish state dinner at Dublin Castle hosted by President Mary McAleese in honour of the royal couple.
The monarch will give her only speech of her four day state visit during the banquet and Mrs McAleese will also make an address.
Some Irish residents have complained that they are being kept so far away from the visiting Royals because of security fears.
People were not allowed to line the streets and there were no flags, banners and few cheers as they were driven through.
Cecilia Travers said: 'Isn't it awful disappointing. It must be awful for them in the car with no-one on the streets. It's very sad.'
Maura Monks added: 'I've always had great respect for her. I think she's a fantastic woman but I'm very disappointed. Despondent.'
Around a dozen people were behind crash barriers outside the Guinness building, where the streets were also eerily quiet.
Retired Guinness worker Eamonn Murphy said he had he cried when he saw the Queen lay a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance where those who died fighting for Irish freedom in 1916 are commemorated.
'History is history. It is always there, but it is like every disagreement or row that people have. There is always a way back,' he said.
'Sometimes it takes a long time, and in this case it has taken a long time, but the mere fact that she did what she did yesterday has gone a long way to burying the past.'
CROKE PARK: SCENE OF THE ORIGINAL BLOODY SUNDAY
Croke Park - now an 82,000-seater stadium - is a sporting venue with deep symbolic importance for the people of Ireland.
It was here that 14 civilians, including a player Michael Hogan, were killed by Auxiliaries at a Gaelic football challenge match in 1920 in revenge for the killings earlier that day of 14 British spies.
The massacre was the original Bloody Sunday and a key moment in the Irish fight for independence.
Sinn Fein leader Michael Collins throwing in the ball to start a hurling match at Croke Park in 1921. He had ordered the assassination of British spies the night before 'Bloody Sunday' the previous year
Arms allegedly found at Croke Park after soldiers opened fire on the 10,000 spectators watching the game. Claims soldiers and police were fired on first were not upheld
The bodies of nine British officers killed in Dublin five days earlier are taken back to England for burial on the destroyer 'HMS Seawolf'. The men had been assassinated by the IRA on the morning of November 21, leading to the Bloody Sunday shootings at a Croke Park later that day
How the Dublin Evening Herald reported the massacre the following day
Police and soldiers went to the game between Dublin and Tipperary, held as a fundraiser for republican prisoners, apparently intending to search fans as they left.
About ten minutes into the game, a convoy of troops surrounded the sports grounds. Their mission, the authorities later stated, was to simply search all of the male spectators for arms.
Whatever their intentions, shooting broke out almost immediately. Claims that the troops were fired on first were never upheld, and in just a few minutes 14 civilians were killed, including Tipperary player Michael Hogan. A further 80 were injured.
Bloody Sunday had a profound impact on the country. It was widely believed that the British had deliberately chosen an easy target to exact revenge for a military loss suffered the night before. That the events also shocked the British public is considered a key factor in helping to end the War of Independence.
The park, the home of Ireland's Gaelic Athletic Association, was redeveloped in the 1990s and cost £230million.
One of the stands was named after Michael Hogan and it is said the Hill 16 terrace was built with rubble from city's General Post Office which was a battleground in the 1916 Easter Rising - an armed insurrection in Dublin against British rule.
The GAA is an amateur organisation set up in 1884 to promote Irish culture, language and sports.
Gaelic grounds were closed to so-called 'foreign-sports' for decades but four years ago, history was made when Croke Park hosted an Ireland-England Six Nations clash.
There were weeks of public debate about whether the British national anthem should be played and concerns about disruption but it passed without trouble.
GAA members were also barred from serving with the British army or police in Northern Ireland under the controversial Rule 21 which was rescinded in 2001.
Croke Park, the scene of a massacre by British soldiers in 1920, made history by hosting England and Ireland's Six Nations clash in 2007
She is the first British monarch to visit Ireland since her grandfather George V 100 years ago in 1911. She is also the first British monarch ever to visit the Republic of Ireland. In George V's time, in 1911, the Republic of Ireland didn't exist and the whole of the island of Ireland was part of the UK, so George V was merely visiting a part of his own country. In 1922, however, what is now the Republic of Ireland seceded from the UK and it became a republic in 1949.
Today's visit by Elizabeth II to Dublin's Croke Park was something that the people of both the UK and the Republic of Ireland thought they would never see.
The reason is that the 82,000-seater stadium, where the Irish sports of Gaelic football and hurling are played, and which is the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletics Association (GAA) was the scene of a massacre in 1920 when British soldiers shot dead 14 people during a Gaelic football match in revenge for Irish nationalists shooting dead 14 British spies the night before. The British soldiers shot indiscriminately into the crowd of fans during the game between Dublin and Tipperary.
Whilst in the stadium, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, alongside the Irish President Mary McAleese, watched a programme on the stadium's big screen about the history of Gaelic football, Ireland's national sport.
Gaelic football grounds in the Republic of Ireland were closed to so-called 'foreign-sports' for decades but four years ago, history was made when Croke Park hosted an Ireland-England Six Nations rugby clash when Ireland's national rugby ground, Lansdowne Road, was being refurbished.
There were weeks of public debate about whether the British national anthem should be played at that stadium given the events of 1920 and concerns about disruption but it passed without trouble.
Also today, the Queen visited the Irish War Memorial Garden at Islandbridge in Dublin where she laid a wreath of poppies in honour of Ireland's war dead, including the many thousands who died fighting for the UK in the Great War when the whole of Ireland was part of the UK.
She and Irish President Mary McAleese then stepped back, bowed and observed a minute's silence as politicians from all sides looked on.
Guests at the ceremony included UK politicians such as Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson, former Northern Ireland secretary Peter Mandelson and church leaders.
Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, a member of the republican, nationalist Sinn Feinn party, had declined an invitation to attend the memorial service.
Apart from the sombre visits to Croke Park and Islandbridge, there was a more light-hearted moment when the Queen visited the Guinness Storehouse.
They watched the 'perfect pint' being poured by a master brewer after a tour of the popular tourist attraction in Dublin.
Ireland may be famous for the black stuff but the Queen's favourite tipple is gin and Dubonnet with ice and a slice of lemon.
Despite the best efforts of brewer Fergal Murray, both the Queen and her husband declined having a sip of the Guinness
The Duke of Edinburgh looked like he was ruing the decision not to have a sip in one picture which showed him looking longingly at the glass.
On arrival at Dublin yesterday, the Queen - appropriately wearing emerald green - was greeted as she got off the plane by Irish President Mary McAleese. She was then driven in a bulletproof and bombproof car to the Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin's Phoenix Park, the splendid white building from which the British used to govern Ireland but which is now the official residence of the President of the Republic of Ireland. It was there that she was greeted by the Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny.
Both the UK and the Republic of Ireland are closely linked. Not only are they each other's closest neighbours and the fact that both used to be unified as one country, but the peoples of each country speak the same language, the Irish are the largest minority group in Britain and vice versa and many British people have Irish descent.
Despite violent protests yesterday in Dublin by a group of Irish republican thugs known as Eirigi, which included the burning of the Union flag, polls show that the majority of the Irish people are in favour of this State Visit and hope that it will finally draw a line under the bloody past between the two neighbouring countries.
Queen visits scene of British massacre at Croke Park on frantic second day of Irish tour
By Daily Mail Reporter
18th May 2011
Daily Mail
- Queen visits Croke Park, scene of 1920 massacre
- Master Brewer pours Queen and Prince Philip a pint
- Monarch visits Enda Kenny at Irish Government buildings
- She lays a wreath to honour Irish war dead
The Queen today visited Croke Park, the sporting venue on the site of a British massacre of Irish civilians, as she continued her Irish tour.
The monarch stopped at the venue in Dublin, which is the home of Ireland's Gaelic Athletic Association, with Irish president Mary McAleese.
Her visit to the spot is another milestone in public acknowledgement of past wrongs committed by Britain during its rule of Ireland.
Auxiliaries killed 14 people during a Gaelic football challenge match at the park in 1920 in what became known as the first Bloody Sunday.
The attack was an apparent reprisal after Irish nationalists shot dead 14 undercover British soldiers the night before.
The Queen at Croke Park with Irish president Mary McAleese and GAA President Christy Cooney
The Queen at Croke Park, which was the scene of a British massacre back in 1920
Earlier on the second day of their whirlwind and historic tour, the Royal couple had followed in the footsteps of millions of other tourists by visiting the Guinness Storehouse.
They watched the 'perfect pint' being poured by a master brewer after a tour of the popular tourist attraction in Dublin.
Ireland is famous for the black stuff - but the Queen's favourite tipple is gin and Dubonnet with ice and a slice of lemon.
And both she and her husband resisted entreaties to sample the most famous of Irish exports, despite the best efforts of brewer Fergal Murray.
The Duke of Edinburgh looked like he was ruing the decision not to have a sip in one picture which showed him looking longingly at the glass.
At the bar: The Queen and Prince Philip were in great spirits during their tour of the Guinness storehouse
Looks tempting: Prince Philip eyes a pint of Guinness as he and the Queen tour the storehouse in Dublin
No takers: The pair watched Master Brewer Fergal Murray pour a pint but neither drank any
The Duke of Edinburgh laughs as he walks away from the full pint on the bar
The royal couple got a rundown on the secret of the stout during a visit to the renowned St James's Gate in the heart of working-class Dublin - the second day of their historic trip to the Irish Republic.
The Duke joked as the pint was delicately poured: 'Is it made with Liffey water?', referring to the river running through the Irish capital.
The Queen, this time dressed in white and turquoise, was also given a 'windows tour' of Dublin by host Ryan Tubridy from the sixth floor of the Gravity Bar.
Later, the Queen met Ireland's Taoiseach Enda Kenny and senior Cabinet members at Government Buildings in Dublin.
She was shown inside the Taoiseach's office, where there is a portrait of Michael Collins - the signatory to the 1921 Anglo-Irish treaty for the partition of Ireland (which saw the northern part of the island of Ireland remain in the UK according to its people's wishes but the rest of Ireland secede from the UK as a separate, independent nation).
The Union flag flew alongside the Irish tricolour on top of Government Buildings - built in the final years of British rule in Ireland - as the historic meeting took place.
The royal couple received a round of applause on two occasions from Irish government staff looking on.
The Queen and Irish President Mary McAleese at the Irish War Memorial Garden Islandbridge in Dublin
Bird's eye view: God Save The Queen was played at the ceremony at the Memorial
The Queen being handed a wreath and (right) armed Irish police officers guard the Irish War Memorial Gardens
Ring of steel: Irish police blocking off anti-British protesters
The royal couple sat by the fireside in the Taoiseach's office for a private talk with the Taoiseach and Mrs Kenny before being invited to sign the visitor's book.
They were shown two excerpts from the 1372 Waterford Charter roll, with Waterford museum director Eamonn McEneaney detailing the document.
Measuring some four metres, the parchment contains portraits of five medieval kings of England - Henry II, John, Henry III, Edward I and two contemporary portraits of King Edward III.
In a solemn tribute to Ireland's war dead, the Queen laid a poppy wreath at the Islandbridge memorial.
She and Irish President Mary McAleese then stepped back, bowed and observed a minute's silence as politicians from all sides looked on.
Guests at the ceremony including Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson, former Northern Ireland secretary Peter Mandelson and church leaders.
Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness had declined an invitation to attend the memorial service.
The ceremony builds on the symbolic reconciliation in 1998 when the Queen and the President unveiled a tower on the site of the battle of Messines Ridge in memory of the Irish dead of the First World War, and to inaugurate the Island of Ireland Peace Park.
It was the first public event undertaken by an Irish and British head of state.
The Union flag was flown alongside the Irish Tricolour, which was at half-mast, and the ceremony opened with a rendition of God Save The Queen.
Security concerns: Republican Eirigi demonstrate yesterday near the Garden of Remembrance where the Queen will visit during her stay
After the sounding of the Last Post, the flag was returned to full height and Ireland's national anthem, Amhran na bhFiann, was played.
Mr Robinson said afterwards: "Everyone remembers the past but we have to look to the future. There are clear indications as a society in the UK and Republic people are moving on. They want better relations and we are in a new era.'
He added that it was disappointing Sinn Fein were not present. 'It would have been an excellent opportunity to show respect for traditions that have otherwise not been shown that respect in the past,' he said.
Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny greeting the Queen at Goverment Buildings in Dublin today
The Queen and Prince Philip with Mr Kenny on the second day of their historic Irish trip
The Queen under a painting of Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins and (right) signing the visitor's book
The Queen and Prince Philip with Enda Kenny and his wife Fionnuala Kenny in the Taoiseach's office
David Cameron will also join the Queen today for part of her trip - highlighting the importance of the visit.
Mr Cameron will hold talks with Taoiseach Enda Kenny before joining the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at a lavish state dinner at Dublin Castle hosted by President Mary McAleese in honour of the royal couple.
The monarch will give her only speech of her four day state visit during the banquet and Mrs McAleese will also make an address.
Some Irish residents have complained that they are being kept so far away from the visiting Royals because of security fears.
People were not allowed to line the streets and there were no flags, banners and few cheers as they were driven through.
Cecilia Travers said: 'Isn't it awful disappointing. It must be awful for them in the car with no-one on the streets. It's very sad.'
Maura Monks added: 'I've always had great respect for her. I think she's a fantastic woman but I'm very disappointed. Despondent.'
Around a dozen people were behind crash barriers outside the Guinness building, where the streets were also eerily quiet.
Retired Guinness worker Eamonn Murphy said he had he cried when he saw the Queen lay a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance where those who died fighting for Irish freedom in 1916 are commemorated.
'History is history. It is always there, but it is like every disagreement or row that people have. There is always a way back,' he said.
'Sometimes it takes a long time, and in this case it has taken a long time, but the mere fact that she did what she did yesterday has gone a long way to burying the past.'
CROKE PARK: SCENE OF THE ORIGINAL BLOODY SUNDAY
Croke Park - now an 82,000-seater stadium - is a sporting venue with deep symbolic importance for the people of Ireland.
It was here that 14 civilians, including a player Michael Hogan, were killed by Auxiliaries at a Gaelic football challenge match in 1920 in revenge for the killings earlier that day of 14 British spies.
The massacre was the original Bloody Sunday and a key moment in the Irish fight for independence.
Sinn Fein leader Michael Collins throwing in the ball to start a hurling match at Croke Park in 1921. He had ordered the assassination of British spies the night before 'Bloody Sunday' the previous year
Arms allegedly found at Croke Park after soldiers opened fire on the 10,000 spectators watching the game. Claims soldiers and police were fired on first were not upheld
The bodies of nine British officers killed in Dublin five days earlier are taken back to England for burial on the destroyer 'HMS Seawolf'. The men had been assassinated by the IRA on the morning of November 21, leading to the Bloody Sunday shootings at a Croke Park later that day
How the Dublin Evening Herald reported the massacre the following day
Police and soldiers went to the game between Dublin and Tipperary, held as a fundraiser for republican prisoners, apparently intending to search fans as they left.
About ten minutes into the game, a convoy of troops surrounded the sports grounds. Their mission, the authorities later stated, was to simply search all of the male spectators for arms.
Whatever their intentions, shooting broke out almost immediately. Claims that the troops were fired on first were never upheld, and in just a few minutes 14 civilians were killed, including Tipperary player Michael Hogan. A further 80 were injured.
Bloody Sunday had a profound impact on the country. It was widely believed that the British had deliberately chosen an easy target to exact revenge for a military loss suffered the night before. That the events also shocked the British public is considered a key factor in helping to end the War of Independence.
The park, the home of Ireland's Gaelic Athletic Association, was redeveloped in the 1990s and cost £230million.
One of the stands was named after Michael Hogan and it is said the Hill 16 terrace was built with rubble from city's General Post Office which was a battleground in the 1916 Easter Rising - an armed insurrection in Dublin against British rule.
The GAA is an amateur organisation set up in 1884 to promote Irish culture, language and sports.
Gaelic grounds were closed to so-called 'foreign-sports' for decades but four years ago, history was made when Croke Park hosted an Ireland-England Six Nations clash.
There were weeks of public debate about whether the British national anthem should be played and concerns about disruption but it passed without trouble.
GAA members were also barred from serving with the British army or police in Northern Ireland under the controversial Rule 21 which was rescinded in 2001.
Croke Park, the scene of a massacre by British soldiers in 1920, made history by hosting England and Ireland's Six Nations clash in 2007
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