Co Tyrone building contractor McAleer & Rushe has started work on a €40m (£34m) new hotel at Croke Park.
Managing director Martin Magee joined GAA president Jarlath Burns to cut the first sod, marking the start of building work on the new Maldron Hotel at the historic Dublin ground.
The 200-bedroom hotel will have a business centre with five meeting rooms, a gym, and bar and restaurant facilities. It’s expected to open to the public in 2026.
The site is in the grounds of the former Clonliffe College at the junction of Clonliffe Road and Jones’s Road, 140 metres from Croke Park.
Dalata Hotel Group, Ireland’s largest hotel operator, will run the hotel under its Maldron brand.
Recent openings include a 188-bedroom Maldron hotel in Manchester and a 268-bedroom Maldron hotel in Liverpool, both built by McAleer & Rushe.
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McAleer & Rushe said it had worked closely with the GAA from the early stages of the project.
The hotel will have a traditional hand-built red brick façade to complement buildings in the area.
Jarlath Burns, GAA president, said: “This is a positive development for the GAA and Croke Park representing an additional offering that will be welcomed by our members and supporters when planning journeys to the stadium.
“McAleer & Rushe are long term GAA supporters, and the GAA enjoys a positive relationship with them.
“Dalata is a great Irish company with proven expertise in managing world class hotels. The new hotel will support local employment and will be a positive addition to the locality.
“Practically, the hotel will also support the growth of our conference activity in the newly repurposed Cusack Stand.”
Dermot Crowley, CEO of Dalata Hotel Group, said: “Upon completion, the Maldron Hotel Croke Park will offer high-quality guest experience, providing exceptional facilities for visitors.
“This new hotel in the heart of Dublin will help meet the growing demand for guest accommodation in the city, while also supporting the local economy and community.
“We are delighted to build upon our long-standing relationships with McAleer & Rushe and the GAA, and we look forward to welcoming our guests in 2026.”