Super excited for the Junior Explorers tour
One chilly Saturday morning a couple of weeks back we were invited to Croke Park to experience their Junior Explorers tour which runs Saturday mornings at 10.30 until 18th May. Coming from a family of GAA fanatics I was so excited of this tour. Croke Park for the GAA fanatic is iconic. The very notion that I would get to explore the dressing room, the players lounge, get to walk out the players tunnel was like fulfilling a childhood fantasy. My husband brought my back to Earth quickly…this tour was for the kids!!!
Having a nosey at the Dublin jerseys
The tour stars with meeting Cluasóg the Irish hare who greets you upon arrival. Following this you begin your tour experiencing behind scenes of this stadium. First up the dressing room with the county jerseys all hanging neatly along the walls. The kids despite being Dubs made a beeline for the Donegal jerseys much to their fathers delight!! Next up was the players lounge which houses a mighty impressive Waterford Crystal chandelier. It’s seriously wow.
Next up we saw the warm up area and then the kids (and my) favourite part…..run out pitchside through the players’ tunnel. The look of sheer excitement in my oldest’s face will stay with me forever. He went back and did it many times. Its the stuff dreams are made of. Its given him incredible focus to one day tog out in his county colours and run out on the pitch. The sheer scale of the stadium can only really be appreciated from the pitch side. Looking up from the tunnel sent a shiver down my spine.
Pitch side – in the words of my oldest “epic”
Hand on heart in the words of an almost 7 years old this was “epic” the boys loved every minute. Tours lasts approx. 1.5 hours (including time in the museum and a meet and greet with Cluasóg) and the route is fully accessible for buggies. Advance online booking is recommended. Free parking is available which is a mega plus!
Honestly you wont regret it. Tour participants can explore the museum afterwards with their Junior Explorer Passport so they can follow clues throughout the Museum including some very fun interactive features. We rounded our morning off with a tasty coffee at the Blackthorn Cafe. Tour prices are below and its recommended to book in advance:
Tour prices
- Adult: €14
- Children (ages 3 – 12): €9
- Under 3 years: Free of charge
- Students / seniors: €11
- Family (2 adults & 2 children): €38
- Family (2 adults & 3 children): €40
It’s a really lovely way to spend a Saturday morning for kids and adults alike.
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