The ground was first purchased by the Munster Branch of the IRFU in the late 1930s, and in use by the early 1940s. Named for Jimmy Musgrave, a past-president of the IRFU, this early ground incorporated a small pavilion between two pitches. Terracing and seating were later added.[6] Dolphin and Sunday's Well rugby clubs were tenants from the outset, though the ground also sometimes hosted provincial and international games. The latter included a number of notable Munster Rugby performances against touring international teams, including Australia (in 1967), the All Blacks (in 1973), and Australia (in 1992) when the then world-champions were defeated at the ground.[7]
By the early 21st century, the ground consisted of four terraces, one stand, three tribunes, a jogging track, and two VIP stands on the west side. This configuration provided a seating capacity of 3,450, with terracing giving a total capacity of approximately 9,000.[8][6][9]
It was announced in March 2010 that a new all-seated west stand, would bring capacity to over 12,500,[10] however by February 2011 it was reported that this work would not go ahead - due to difficulty raising funding. Instead a 4,000 seat temporary stand was erected in the summer of 2011.[11] Later in 2011 the old seated west stand was demolished and replaced by a temporary structure, giving an overall capacity of 10,000 with 4,000 seats.[12]
In March 2013 it was announced that a new permanent 3,300 seated west stand would be built. It would incorporate changing, medical, media and function rooms. The east terrace would also have a roof added as part of this development.[13] To fund this development a 1.1 acre strip of land to the east of the site was made available for sale.[14][15] When complete, the development would provide a ground capacity of 10,000 in total, phasing in from a capacity of approximately 8,000 from the initial reopening in January 2015.[2][16] This €3.2m investment and work took place between June 2014 and January 2015, and included a new west stand seating 3,500, with the east terrace being covered from endline to endline.[17]
Following a naming-rights deal with Independent News & Media, upon the planned reopening in early 2015, the ground was referred to as Irish Independent Park.[18][19] This naming rights agreement ended in November 2020.[20] A similar naming rights deal was agreed with Virgin Media Ireland in early 2024.[5]
In September 1991 League of Ireland club Cork City F.C. played a league game at Musgrave Park against Shamrock Rovers[25] and the following Wednesday Cork City drew 1–1 with FC Bayern Munich in a UEFA Cup game played at the ground.
^ ab"Wolfhounds Defeat As Irish Independent Park Opens". Munster Rugby. 31 January 2015. Archived from the original on 12 February 2017. In keeping with safety regulations for the new development, the full capacity of the stadium (10000) will be introduced on a phase by phase basis with 8,200 the maximum capacity permitted for tonight's game
^ ab"O'Brien provides highlight in tame Wolfhounds defeat". Irish Times. 31 January 2015. The Cork sporting public enthusiastically welcomed international rugby back to the city, filling the redeveloped Musgrave Park to its 8,200 sell-out
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