Dr. Cullen Park is a Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Carlow, Ireland. It is the home of the Carlow Gaelic football and hurling teams. It has a capacity of 21,000.
Dr. Cullen Park was officially opened on Sunday, August 9, 1936. It was so named in the memory of Most Rev. Dr. Cullen who had died on 2 January 1936. The late Bishop was honoured as "a great churchman, a true hearted gael and a patriotic Irishman". The attendance on opening day consisted of nearly all Carlow people.
The solemn blessing of the park by the Rev. J.J. Dunny, administrator, Carlow, opened the proceedings. Prayers were recited and the Carlow pipers band played hymns. Thomas Ryan President of Co. Carlow G.A.A. (Gaelic Athletic Association) presided at the ceremony. Padraig McNamee, President of the Ulster Council of the G.A.A. represented the President of the Association, who was absent at another engagement in Roscommon that day. Many local clergy were present on the occasion. A number of local dignitaries also attended including James Reddy who was the County Carlow Secretary during the early 1898–1890 period. A message of apology for non-attendance was received from Éamon de Valera, the President of the Executive Council (prime minister), and also from the Minister for Education, Thomas Derrig, T.D.
The tri-colour flew over the new Gaelic Park and towered "over the surrounding trees". Carlow had waited over 50 years for its County Grounds. Dr. Cullen Park continues to be a popular venue for inter-club and inter-county matches throughout the sporting year.
Read more about Dr. Cullen Park: Dr. Cullen Park in The 1960s
Famous quotes containing the words cullen and/or park:
“Thou blossom bright with autumn dew,
And colored with the heaven’s own blue,”
—William Cullen Bryant (1794–1878)
“Is a park any better than a coal mine? What’s a mountain got that a slag pile hasn’t? What would you rather have in your garden—an almond tree or an oil well?”
—Jean Giraudoux (1882–1944)