Kind of !!!. Technically you must be a member of the NUJI which, of course, costs money.
They are the usual people who issue a Press Pass. Most events and venues nowadays require
also a letter of accrediation from whoever you are photographing the event for and if its not
in their interests or beneficial to them to allow you entry then you are really a paying member
of the public and many events will not allow cameras there anyway.
I have an official press pass but it really gives me nothing ……. the GAA still charge me every time
I want to see a match that I’m passionate about and most guys on the gates would not know the difference
between a press pass and and a choclate bar wrapper.