GAA plan to build hotel at Croke Park

THE GAA will today unveil plans to build a 200-bedroom hotel at Croke Park in the association’s biggest investment since the €225m redevelopment of its stadium.

The plan was revealed at a meeting of the stadium executive at GAA headquarters on Monday night, and residents near Croke Park have been told about the development.

Croke Park officials will lodge the hotel planning application with Dublin City Council on Friday morning.

The five-storey building on Jones Road will be classed as a four-star hotel and should be open within three years.

Saturday is the deadline for developments seeking to take advantage of the old hotel capital allowance scheme.

Developers will have to file for planning permission before the weekend to avail of a 15% tax break, which was reduced to 4% in last December’s budget.

It is believed this deadline prompted the stadium executive group to finalise the ambitious hotel plans earlier this week.

A press conference will be held at noon today in the Hogan Stand Suite to announce details of the proposed development.

It is feared the hotel proposal will spark a row between the GAA and local residents who fear the development will increase traffic congestion in the area.

The GAA yesterday refused to comment on the proposal and insisted the details will be revealed at today’s press conference. The plans will be put on display at the Hogan Stand Suite in Croke Park on Saturday.

The Croke Parks Residents’ Association (CPRA) said last night that its members are eager to see the plans.

“There was some initial contact with the GAA on Monday night about this.

“We’re going to have to see the full plans and come to some decision in the next 10 days,” said CPRA spokesperson Martin Flynn.

The capacity of Croke Park increased to 79,500 last year and that is expected to rise to 82,000 when work on the northern end of the ground, estimated to cost €25 million, is completed.

The GAA had an income of around €70 million in 2002, more than 192,000 a day, but it still has borrowings of €70m.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Micheál Martin has criticised Guinness’s sponsorship of the All-Ireland Hurling Championship.

Following the announcement of new Government proposals to tackle the country’s alcohol problem, Mr Martin said the sponsorship was “wrong”.

“I honestly believe that Guinness supporting the hurling championship is a wrong message and signal to be sending out to the young people of this country,” he said.