Páirc Esler facts for kids
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Páirc an Iúir ("Newry Park")
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The Marshes
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 Páirc Esler
Location in County Down
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| Address | Newry, County Down, BT34 2QX |
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| Location | Northern Ireland, County Down |
| Coordinates | 54°9′47″N 6°20′5″W / 54.16306°N 6.33472°W |
| Public transit | Newry railway station Newry Ulsterbus station |
| Owner | Newry Shamrocks |
| Capacity | 20,000 |
| Field size | 138 × 81 m |
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| Renovated | 2006–07 |
Páirc Esler is a famous sports stadium. It is located in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. This stadium is a very important place for GAA sports. It's where teams play exciting games like Gaelic football and hurling.
Páirc Esler is the home ground for the Down county teams. It is also home to the Newry Shamrocks GAA club. The stadium can hold about 20,000 fans! It sits right next to the Clanrye River in Newry.
A Look Back: The History of Páirc Esler
Páirc Esler is named after a very important person. He was Father Hugh Esler, a Catholic priest. Father Esler was from Ballynahinch. He helped make Gaelic football popular again in Newry. This happened during the 1930s to 1950s. He also helped get the land where the stadium now stands. Father Esler passed away in 1983.
Making It Better: Renovations
The stadium has been greatly improved over the years. Major renovation work happened in 2006 and 2007. During this time, new stands were built. Bright floodlights were added, and the playing field was updated.
From 1999 to 2004, no big county championship matches were played here. After new seating areas were built, games returned. Down hosted the All-Ireland Champions, Tyrone, in 2005. The stadium was closed again in March 2006 for more improvements.
Grand Reopening!
The renovation work was finished in 2007. A new covered stand and better floodlights were ready. The stadium hosted its first Ulster Senior Football Championship match since 1999. This was a replay game against Cavan on May 20, 2007. Down won that exciting match.
On October 8, 2007, the new stand was officially opened. The GAA president, Nickey Brennan, was there for the event. This happened just before a big football final. Later, on October 26, the new floodlights were turned on for the first time. This was celebrated with another league final game.
In 2008, Páirc Esler hosted Dr. McKenna Cup matches. Down played and won against Cavan and Donegal. They even won the final that year! Later, Down beat Tyrone in a championship game. Tyrone went on to become the All-Ireland SFC Champions that year. Down was the only team to beat them in the championship.
