Explore Irish games and ancient myths this Samhain with spirited guides at the ‘Hurloween’ Tours at the GAA Museum
The GAA Museum at Croke Park will mark the ancient Irish festival of Samhain with Hurloween Tours this Halloween.
Instead of ghouls, they will be talking goals, old Celtic traditions, and mythology to celebrate the origins of Ireland’s earliest festival. Children may be knocking on many homes as they trick or treat this Halloween but none promises to be as memorable as the home of GAA, Croke Park!
From the 29th of October to the 4th of November, your GAA-mad goblins can enjoy a special tour of the famous stadium and the GAA Museum where they will learn more about Ireland’s ancient sport from the time of Setanta right up to the era of modern GAA stars like Cian Lynch!
Goals not ghouls! Hurloween comes to Croke Park!
The GAA Museum at Croke Park will mark the ancient Irish festival of Samhain with Hurloween Tours this Halloween.
From the 29th of October to the 4th of November families can enjoy a special tour of the famous stadium and the GAA Museum where they will learn more about Ireland’s ancient sport from the time of Setanta right up to the era of modern GAA stars like Cian Lynch!
For more see www.crokepark.ie/halloween
PHOTO: Mark Stedman
A special ‘Warriors and Hurlers Workshop’ will capture imaginations as younger visitors learn all about the story of Setanta, a master hurler who according to legend used his sliotar and camán to slay the hound of Chulainn and receive the new name Cú Chulainn! Every child on tour will receive a book telling the story of Setanta and other Irish legends, which is a perfect Halloween treat!
The tours also include a visit some of the famous sporting venue’s best haunts including the players dressing rooms, the interactive games zone where you can test your own hurling and football skills and learn new ‘tricks’, and an exciting opportunity to walk pitch side where the spirited guides will teach you more about the history and skills of Ireland’s national games of hurling and camogie.
Hurloween’ Tours at Croke Park are ideal for families looking for seasonal fun rather than scares. This Autumnal tour series is suitable for children aged between five and twelve accompanied by an adult and takes place at 10.30, 12.30 and 14.30 from Saturday October 29th to Friday November 4th. Tickets must be booked in advance online, and the visit will last approximately 90 minutes.
When planning for a stress free and fun for all family outing it is good to know about access and facilities ahead of time. A trip to Croke Park will tick all the boxes! Both the GAA Museum and Stadium Tour are fully accessible for people with disabilities, there are toilet and baby changing facilities on site and if your little zombies are feeling peckish head for the Blackthorn Café which is open daily serving hot lunches, sandwiches, pastries, snacks and more. For those who like to pack a snack in advance there is outdoor picnic table seating available. There is free on-site parking adjacent to the GAA Museum for cars/buses in the Cusack Stand Car Park. Access to the museum is via St. Joseph’s Avenue (off Clonliffe Road) Typically, a stadium tour take about 1 hour 20 minutes and you should allow at least 30 minutes for the GAA Museum, so it makes for a fangtastic day out!
While there is no need to dress up to participate, little monsters are more than welcome to embrace the seasonal tradition and wear their costume. Photography is allowed so have fun capturing family memories of their first ‘Hurloween’!
Visit crokepark.ie/halloween for more information or to book tickets.
