Dalymount Park
Many thanks to the supporters of Bohemian Football Club who have supplied the project with a wealth of information about Dalymount Park.
In September 1901, just over a decade after the club was founded, Bohemians Football Club moved to its new ground, Pisser Dignam’s Field, in Phibsborough, Dublin. This open land, with a vegetable plot on one side, was renamed Dalymount Park. A corrugated surround was erected around the ground and ropes enclosed the pitch. Five thousand people turned up for the first match, against Shelbourne, and gate receipts were £40. Bohemians won 4-2. International clubs were invited to the new venue, including Glasgow Celtic on 26th December 1901. In its early decades Dalymount Park was constantly refurbished and, in 1931, the services of the famous stadium architect Archibald Leitch were secured. Stands, terraces, turn styles, crush barriers and dressing room were added.
Dalymount Park has hosted international, European and FAI cup games. One of its more infamous games was between Ireland and Germany in 1936. Dalymount’s record attendance was 48,000, for an Irish international game against England on 19th May 1957.
In later decades the poor state of the facilities in Dalymount Park has meant that the ground no longer hosts international matches. In recent years Bohemians Football Club entered into a deal with a property developer to sell Dalymount Park and move to a new site near Dublin Airport. However, due to the downturn in the property market, it is unlikely this deal will go ahead.
