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 Northern Ireland
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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 | Down GAA & Newry Shamrocks |
| Capacity | 20,000 |
| Field size | 138 × 81 m |
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| Renovated | 2006–07 |
Páirc Esler is a well-known sports stadium located in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. It's the main home for the Down county teams in Gaelic football and hurling. The stadium is also used by the Newry Shamrocks GAA club. It can hold about 20,000 people, making it a big place for exciting games.
History of Páirc Esler
Páirc Esler is found in the Greenbank Industrial Estate in Newry. It sits next to the Clanrye River. This area was known as "The Marsh" on old maps from 1846. People have played Gaelic games, soccer, and rugby here since the late 1800s.
The stadium officially became a GAA facility in 1947. Its first name was Páirc an Iúir, which means "Newry Park" in Irish. In 2007, it was renamed Páirc Esler. This was to honor Archdeacon Hugh Esler. He was a local priest who helped bring back interest in Gaelic football in Newry during the 1930s to 1950s. He also played a key role in making sure the GAA got these grounds.
Stadium Upgrades and Changes
Páirc Esler has gone through big changes over the years. Major redevelopment work happened between 2006 and 2007. This included adding new stands, bright floodlights, and a brand-new playing pitch.
From 1999 to 2004, no major county championship matches were held at the stadium. After building a new terrace (a standing area) and a new stand, big games returned. Down hosted the All-Ireland Champions, Tyrone, in a football championship match. The next year, Fermanagh and Derry also played there. The stadium then closed again in March 2006 for more improvements after a game between Down and Armagh.
Reopening and New Features
Once the work was finished, Páirc Esler had a new covered stand and modern floodlights. The first Ulster Senior Football Championship match since 1999 was played there on May 20, 2007. Cavan visited for a replay, and the home team, Down, won. Later that June, the stadium hosted more championship games.
On October 8, 2007, the new stand was officially opened by GAA president Nickey Brennan. This happened just before a Senior Football Championship Final. On October 26, the new floodlights were officially turned on during a league final game.
In 2008, Páirc Esler hosted Dr. McKenna Cup matches. Down played and beat Cavan, UUJ, and Donegal. Down went on to win the final that year. The stadium also saw Down beat Tyrone in the championship, which was a big win as Tyrone later became All-Ireland champions. In 2025, the ground received updated lights. In recent months, it has hosted major All-Ireland Games, including Down versus Louth, Dublin versus Derry, and Down versus Galway.
See also
- List of Gaelic Athletic Association stadiums
- List of stadiums in Ireland by capacity
