
24,000 spectators
1927
O'Loughlin Road, Kilkenny, R95 WN66
Kilkenny, Ireland
Grass
Single-Sport Venue
Gaelic Football
Stadium
UPMC Nowlan Park — the spiritual home of Kilkenny hurling — is one of Ireland's most iconic GAA venues. Named after James Nowlan, the longest-serving President of the GAA (1901–1921), the stadium opened in 1927 on O'Loughlin Road in Kilkenny city. With a capacity of 24,000 (including approximately 18,000 seats across four stands), it serves as the home of the Kilkenny county hurling team — the most successful county in the history of the ancient sport. Kilkenny's extraordinary record in Gaelic games gives Nowlan Park a special status: it is a venue where history is constantly being made. Beyond hurling, the park is a major entertainment venue, having hosted Bruce Springsteen twice, as well as Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton, Rod Stewart, Andrea Bocelli, and Paul Simon. In June 2014 it made media history as the venue for the first GAA Championship match ever broadcast live to a UK-wide audience. UPMC, one of Ireland's largest private health providers, holds the naming rights.
Nowlan Park was developed in 1927, replacing the earlier county ground at St James Park, which had hosted key Kilkenny matches in the early 20th century. The acquisition was financed through a £1 levy on each Kilkenny club, along with contributions from W.T. Cosgrave and the Leinster Council. The park was named in dedication to James Nowlan, who served as GAA President from 1901 to 1921 — steering the association through the 1916 Rising, World War I, and the War of Independence while also serving as a Kilkenny alderman. The first competitive fixtures were held in 1928. Over the following decades, Nowlan Park grew into a proud hurling fortress, with Kilkenny's extraordinary All-Ireland success driving successive improvements to the ground. The Old Stand was supplemented by the Paddy Grace Stand (Hebron Road), the Ted Carroll Stand, and the City Terrace. A severe storm in February 2014 destroyed part of the Old Stand roof; the replacement was completed by early 2015. In 2019, UPMC signed a 10-year naming rights deal — one of the most significant commercial partnerships in provincial GAA history.
On a major hurling championship day, UPMC Nowlan Park is one of the most atmospheric sports venues in Ireland. The black-and-amber sea of Kilkenny jerseys, the crack of ash on ash, and the roar of one of hurling's most knowledgeable and passionate crowds create an experience unlike any other in Gaelic games. The compact city location means supporters can pour out of Kilkenny's celebrated medieval pubs and reach the ground in minutes. Leinster Championship days against rivals Tipperary, Galway, or Wexford generate a white-hot intensity. The ground also shines as a concert venue — the natural bowl created by the stands provides excellent acoustics.
Guided tours of UPMC Nowlan Park are available by arrangement through Kilkenny GAA. Tours take in the dressing rooms, players' tunnel, and pitchside areas, with knowledgeable guides sharing stories of Kilkenny's extraordinary hurling heritage and the stadium's history. Contact Kilkenny GAA via www.kilkennygaa.ie to arrange a visit.
UPMC Nowlan Park does not operate a standalone museum, but the stadium's guided tours provide access to Kilkenny GAA's trophy collection and memorabilia celebrating the county's All-Ireland hurling championship wins. A visit to Nowlan Park is itself a journey through the history of Ireland's most decorated hurling county.
Kilkenny MacDonagh Station is served by Irish Rail from Dublin Heuston (approx. 1hr 20min) and from Waterford (approx. 35 minutes). The station is approximately 1.5km from Nowlan Park — a 15–18 minute walk or a short taxi ride.
Bus Éireann and Expressway operate regular services from Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and Carlow to Kilkenny. The main bus stop in the city is a short walk from Nowlan Park.
Nowlan Park is located on O'Loughlin Road, accessible via the N77 and M9 motorway from Dublin (approx. 1hr 20min). Street parking is available in the surrounding streets and in city centre car parks on match days.
Nowlan Park is approximately 1km from Kilkenny city centre — a 12-minute walk via the John Street Upper route. The city's compact layout makes it easy to explore before and after matches.
Guided tours of UPMC Nowlan Park are available, providing a behind-the-scenes look at Kilkenny's famous hurling ground. See the dressing rooms, walk the players' tunnel, and stand pitchside in the spiritual home of the black-and-amber. Guides share stories of Kilkenny's extraordinary hurling heritage.
Adult tickets cost Price on request, children's tickets are Price on request, and concession tickets are available for Price on request. The complete stadium tour experience lasts 75 minutes, providing comprehensive access to the stadium's most exclusive areas.
The UPMC Nowlan Park Stadium Tour includes dressing rooms, players' tunnel, pitchside, stands, history of kilkenny hurling, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at one of the world's most famous stadiums. Tours available by arrangement. Contact Kilkenny GAA via www.kilkennygaa.ie. Contact Kilkenny GAA to arrange a tour.
Luxury accommodation - 12-minute walk from Nowlan Park
Rates from £130 to £280 per night
A four-star hotel dramatically positioned on the banks of the River Nore in the heart of Kilkenny city. Panoramic river and castle views, excellent leisure centre, and an outstanding location for exploring the medieval city.
Mid-range accommodation - 14-minute walk
Rates from £90 to £180 per night
A spacious four-star hotel in the heart of Kilkenny offering comfortable rooms, an indoor pool, and easy access to the city's attractions and GAA ground.
Boutique accommodation - 12-minute walk
Rates from £110 to £220 per night
A stylish four-star boutique hotel in the heart of Kilkenny, celebrated for its design-led rooms and acclaimed restaurant. One of the city's most popular choices for discerning visitors.
Budget accommodation - 14-minute walk
Rates from £30 to £60 per night
A well-run hostel in Kilkenny city centre offering dormitory and private rooms at budget prices — popular with younger supporters and travelling GAA fans.
Designated wheelchair viewing areas are available at UPMC Nowlan Park with companion seating. Contact Kilkenny GAA in advance to confirm availability. Accessible areas are provided in line with GAA standards for major fixtures.
Accessible toilet facilities are available throughout the stadium.
Designated parking for disabled visitors is available on match days. Arrive early — match day parking fills quickly in the Nowlan Park area.
The stadium provides step-free access routes to designated wheelchair viewing areas.
Terrace / City End tickets range from €12 to €20 for the current season.
General terrace admission for Kilkenny GAA hurling and football fixtures. Prices vary by competition.
These city terrace standing tickets include stadium access, making them an excellent choice for visitors seeking luxury hospitality experience.
Seated Stand tickets range from €15 to €28 for the current season.
Seated stand tickets in covered stands. The Paddy Grace (Hebron Road) is fully covered; the Ted Carroll Stand offers modern plastic seating.
These paddy grace stand / ted carroll stand tickets include stadium access, making them an excellent choice for visitors seeking luxury hospitality experience.
General Admission tickets range from €7 to €12 for the current season.
Reduced admission for OAPs, students, and qualifying concession holders.
These terrace areas tickets include stadium access, making them an excellent choice for visitors seeking luxury hospitality experience.
General Admission tickets range from €3 to €6 for the current season.
Children and under-16 admission. Check Kilkenny GAA for current juvenile pricing by competition.
These terrace areas tickets include stadium access, making them an excellent choice for visitors seeking luxury hospitality experience.
Nowlan Park has a capacity of approximately 24,000, including around 18,000 seated positions across its stands. It is the principal GAA venue in Kilkenny.
The park is named after James Nowlan, the longest-serving President of the GAA who held office from 1901 to 1921. Nowlan played a crucial role in stabilising the GAA through Ireland's period of political upheaval, including the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence.
The stadium is on O'Loughlin Road, about 1km from Kilkenny city centre (12-minute walk). Kilkenny MacDonagh rail station (Irish Rail) is 1.5km away, served from Dublin Heuston (1hr 20min) and Waterford (35 minutes). Bus Éireann and expressway coaches also serve Kilkenny.
Nowlan Park has hosted major international concerts including Bruce Springsteen (2013 and 2024), Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton, Rod Stewart, Andrea Bocelli, Paul Simon, Bryan Ferry, James Taylor, Shania Twain, and Neil Young.
Nowlan Park is commercially known as UPMC Nowlan Park, following a naming rights deal with UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), a leading international healthcare provider.
Nowlan Park opened in 1927, replacing St. James Park. The first competitive fixtures were held in 1928, including the Junior Football Championship final and the Senior Hurling Championship final.
Designated wheelchair viewing areas and accessible toilets are available. Contact Kilkenny GAA in advance to confirm provisions and companion seating.
On 7 June 2014, a Kilkenny v Offaly championship match at Nowlan Park became the first GAA Championship fixture ever broadcast live to a UK-wide audience on Sky Sports — a landmark moment in the history of Gaelic games media.
Guided tours are available by arrangement through Kilkenny GAA. Contact www.kilkennygaa.ie to enquire.
The stadium has four stands: the Old Stand (O'Loughlin Road side), the Paddy Grace Stand (Hebron Road, covered), the Ted Carroll Stand (O'Loughlin Gaels end, 4,000 plastic seats), and the City Terrace (standing, city end).
Kilkenny is the most successful county in the history of hurling — one of the world's oldest field sports. The county has won the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship a record number of times, and Nowlan Park is the home of that extraordinary tradition.
O'Loughlin Road, Kilkenny City, County Kilkenny, R95 WN66.
12 May 2024
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed at UPMC Nowlan Park in May 2024 as part of the Springsteen and E Street Band world tour. The concert was the European tour's Kilkenny date, returning to a venue Springsteen first played in July 2013 when Nowlan Park hosted the European tour finale.
1 September 2019
Kilkenny GAA agreed a major naming rights deal with UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), Ireland's largest private hospital group, renaming the ground "UPMC Nowlan Park." The 10-year partnership is one of the most significant commercial deals in provincial GAA history.
7 June 2014
On 7 June 2014, the Kilkenny v Offaly championship match at Nowlan Park made history as the first GAA Championship fixture ever broadcast live to a UK-wide audience on Sky Sports. British viewers were reported to be "bemused but impressed" by their first exposure to Gaelic games on a mainstream UK sports channel.
12 February 2014
A violent storm on 12 February 2014 blew off a large portion of the Old Stand's roof at Nowlan Park. The remainder was removed for health and safety reasons. A new roof for the Old Stand was completed in late 2014 and opened in early 2015.
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