The ground was named after Fr. (later Archdeacon)[2] Hugh Esler (d. 1983), a Catholic priest and Ballynahinch native credited with reinvigorating interest in Gaelic football in Newry in the 1930s–50s,[3] and with securing the grounds that was to later become Páirc Esler. Its previous name Pairc in nIuir, translated to Newry Park (literally Park of the Yew, as An nIuir (the Yew) is the Irish language name of the city of Newry[4]), referring to the Newry Shamrocks club that play there.
Renovation
The ground has undergone major redevelopment work, with new stands, floodlights, new pitch all added in 2006–2007. From 1999 to 2004 no senior intercounty championship matches were played at the venue. After the development of a new terrace at the canal end of the ground and a new stand on the south side of the ground, Down hosted the All Ireland Champions, Tyrone, in round 2 of the football championship qualifiers. The following year both Fermanagh and Derry visited the ground in the qualifiers, Down losing to the latter. The ground was closed after the Down v Armagh game in Division 1B of the National Football League in March 2006 for further development.[5]
Reopening
GAA President Nicky Brennan (second from left) cuts the ribbon at the official re-opening of Páirc Esler.
With work now completed on the ground, with a new covered stand and floodlighting facilities, the ground hosted its first Ulster Senior Football Championship Match since 1999 when Cavan visited the stadium for a preliminary round replay on Sunday 20 May 2007, which the home side won 0–15 to 0–11. In June it held a first-round Ulster Championship clash with Monaghan and a first-round qualifier game with Meath – Down lost both games.
On 8 October 2007, the new stand was officially opened by GAA president Nickey Brennan, just before the start of the Senior Football Championship Final between Mayobridge and Longstone, which ended in a draw. Mayobridge won the replay, and their fourth title in a row. The 26 October saw the official switch-on of the floodlights, which was marked by the division one league final between Kilcoo and An Riocht. An Riocht won the game by 3 points, with AFL star Martin Clarke scoring 2–1 in the final. It has now hosted Dr. McKenna cup matches in 2008 in which Down played and beat Cavan, UUJ and beat Donegal 5–14 to 0–13. In the same year they won the final which was played in Casement Park, Belfast. Down V Derry, and later in the championship first round beat soon-to-be All Ireland SFC Champions Tyrone, the only team that year to do so in the championship.
^The full historic Irish language name of Newry is An Iuir Chinn Tra - the Yew tree at the Head of the Strand or Beach, referring to a founding legend of Saint Patrick planting such a tree in the locality, where a local abbey was then founded.
In modern Irish, the city is almost always referred to simply as An nIuir, (the Yew Tree or the Yew).
n.b. Baile an nIuir, (City or Town of the Yew), does not refer to Newry, but instead refers to the small village of Ballynure in Antrim, near Ballyclare.
