The GAA and leading design and build contractor McAleer & Rushe have commenced construction on the new €40 million Maldron Hotel at Croke Park.

The modern 200-bedroom hotel will feature a business centre with five meeting rooms, a state-of-the-art gym, and bar and restaurant facilities. It is expected to open to the public in 2026. As part of the Clonliffe Lands Masterplan, the hotel is located at the junction of Clonliffe Road and Jones's Road, on the grounds of the former Clonliffe College, just 140 metres from Croke Park.

Positioned in an established and mature part of Drumcondra, guests will be ideally located for big games and enjoy excellent connectivity to the air, road and rail network, with Drumcondra train station, and bus routes just a short walk away.

Ireland's largest hotel operator, Dalata Hotel Group, will manage the new hotel under its Maldron brand, offering a modern 4-star experience with high-quality accommodation. Known for its exceptional hospitality, the Group has ambitious expansion plans across Ireland and Europe. Recent openings include a 188-bedroom Maldron hotel in Manchester and a 268-bedroom Maldron hotel in Liverpool, both constructed by McAleer & Rushe.

As the construction partner, McAleer & Rushe has worked closely with the GAA from the initial planning and design phases, bringing its expertise in delivering high-quality turnkey hotel developments. The hotel, designed to blend with the local architecture, will feature a traditional hand-built red brick façade and incorporate environmental features to achieve a BREEAM 'Very Good' rating, including green roofs, air source heat pumps and EV charging points.

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Speaking at the sod cutting, 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: "This marks an important milestone in the development of a new, modern flagship hotel at one of Ireland’s most iconic sporting landmarks. 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."

Martin Magee, Managing Director of McAleer & Rushe stated: "It was a pleasure to join the GAA President Jarlath Burns to cut the first sod together and celebrate this important milestone with the key stakeholders involved. Having delivered the Croke Park Hotel for the GAA nearly 20 years ago, we are honoured to be once again entrusted by the Association to lead on this new hotel development.

"It is also exciting to mark this important milestone with the Dalata team, with whom we have built a strong and successful partnership across development and construction, delivering over 3,000 hotel bedrooms across Ireland and GB. We look forward to working closely with all partners to ensure the vision for this significant project is realised and engaging actively with the local community throughout construction to contribute positively to the area."