Ulster GAA update on Casement Park

Ulster GAA has announced that it will commence necessary maintenance and pre-enabling works for the development of the new Casement Park.

This will come as very welcome news for all GAA members in Antrim, Ulster and Ireland.

Setting out the scope of the pre-enabling works which will begin next week (w/c 19th February), Ulster GAA said that the team is looking forward to getting on site and confirmed that they have written to local residents and updated the local voluntary, business and tourism community on the plans and the project timeline. 

Activity commencing next week, which will continue throughout March, will be focused on initial ground works and this will be followed by site clearance from April to June, including the removal of the old terracing.  

The Department for Communities (DfC) is leading the procurement of the main construction contract for the project through UK Government frameworks for major strategic infrastructure projects.   

The Ulster GAA and the Irish Football Association have been working closely together in recent years and Tom Daly, Ulster GAA Stadium Board Chairman said they were delighted that the iconic stadium had been named as one of the ten host venues for the UEFA EURO Championships in 2028. 

Commenting on the announcement Tom Daly said, “Commencing works on site has always been a crucial milestone for the redevelopment of Casement Park and we are looking forward to this exciting new phase of the project with a targeted timeline for the delivery of Ulster GAA’s provincial stadium and Antrim’s new home.  

“It has been a long and frustrating journey to get to this point, however this is an important step forward as we prepare for the delivery phase of the project.  Casement Park will host some of the largest and most significant GAA games on the island and it will also be a seven day a week hub that the whole community can access and enjoy.   

“With Casement Park being the only regional venue that can host unique global events such as EURO 2028, we are also delighted to support our friends and colleagues at the Irish FA by providing the stadium as a tournament venue for the bid and we are excited by the opportunities that this will create for all of society. 

“With works commencing on site next week we will be working with the local community to ensure that they are fully informed on every step of the journey. As our team commences this phase of the project, we would like to thank the local community for their support and patience over the last number of years as we plan for an exciting new future for Casement Park.”