Croke Park Skyline Tour

I made my way back to Croke Park for my second tour of the Ericsson Skyline tour at dusk, organised again by Igersdublin

It was a beautiful day for it, so I took the opportunity to get down early to get a few external shots of the iconic building in context. 

The Royal Canal running by Croke Park

The Royal Canal running by Croke Park

Night-time view from same location  (2016)

Night-time view from same location  (2016)

The stadium towering over adjoining residential properties on Jones' Road

The stadium towering over adjoining residential properties on Jones' Road

Dublin doesn't have many publically accessible, elevated vantage points. At 17 storeys up, this is Dublin's highest open-viewing platform, with amazing panoramic views over the city.

I used to almost exclusively do panoramic photos. I haven't done any for ages, but with this view it would have been rude not to try capture as much of it as I could... 

A 13 image, stitched panorama of the view across the city

A 13 image, stitched panorama of the view across the city

An 8 image, stitched panorama of the view across the city

An 8 image, stitched panorama of the view across the city

There's a whole lot of Dublin going on down there...

Towards the South-West

Towards the South-West

Toward the North Circular Road, with Pavee Point Centre (formally The Free Church, built in 1800 and initially known as 'Wesley Chapel') in the background

Toward the North Circular Road, with Pavee Point Centre (formally The Free Church, built in 1800 and initially known as 'Wesley Chapel') in the background

Junction of Great Charles Street & the North Circular Road

Junction of Great Charles Street & the North Circular Road

Junction of Great Charles Street & the North Circular Road

Junction of Great Charles Street & the North Circular Road

towards the South-East

towards the South-East

Towards the South

Towards the South

Towards the Spire (2016)

Towards the Spire (2016)

Roof structure in the foreground, the Spire in the background

Roof structure in the foreground, the Spire in the background

At this stage I couldn't feel my fingers. That beautiful day had turned into a freezing evening...and in my wisdom, I forgot to bring my gloves. Rookie error. 

On my way out, as my finger's thawed, I got some last images of the Stadium itself. What a space. What drama has occurred within these walls. Victory and defeat in equal measure...dreams are made and destroyed every year on this pitch and in these stands.

The stadium

The stadium

The Hogan Stand  

The Hogan Stand  

The Hogan Stand (2016)

The Hogan Stand (2016)

Under the Cusack Stand

Under the Cusack Stand

As a Cavan man, unfortunately I haven't got to cheer my county here too often...but our time will come. Just you wait and see.

An Cabhán Abú!

As an Irishman though, a visit here is always a visit to hallowed ground.