Jurys Doyle to build €30m hotel at Croke Park

The Jurys Doyle Group have agreed terms with the GAA to develop a €30 million four-star hotel at Dublin's Croke Park.

The 232-room hotel is be located on the Jones's Road side of the 82,300 capacity stadium and will be ready for business by the summer of 2005.

The hotel group says it hopes to benefit "from the travelling armies of loyal supporters who visit Croke Park week in, week out".

The hotel, which will be named Jurys Croke Park Hotel, will operate a 34-year lease from the GAA.

The GAA was granted planning permission for the hotel by An Bord Pleanála last December and construction has already begun.

Mr Pat McCann, chief executive of Jurys Doyle, said: "We are particularly pleased to announce Jurys Croke Park Hotel as this development will give us market presence in the north Dublin four-star hotel market where we are under-represented.

He said: "We expect the project to generate up to 120 new jobs when open and we will continue our policy of recruiting and training local people to work in our new properties."

GAA president, Mr Sean Kelly said: "I believe that the hotel will be a major catalyst in the regeneration of the North Inner City Area and will provide a significant boost to Dublin Tourism and its support infrastructure."

He said that it would also "further enhance the services provided at Croke Park and the world-class status of the stadium".