Today I experienced the weather of Ireland, one minute raining and the next sunny.

First, Jon and I did a free tour of the Kilmainham Gaol (Jail). The jail was the first of its time to have prisoners in individual cells and have faith in rehabilitation. It is also the home of many famous people involved in the Easter Rising in 1916. 

Interior of the Kilmainham Gaol 

Following the tour we traveled to Croke Park, home of the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association), which seats 83,000 fans. Jon and I met with Padhraic Greene. Croke is an immaculate stadium that plays host to many events throughout the year including, hurling and gaelic football. In addition they host concerts and will be hosting a college football game this upcoming season. Unique for the football game is that the stands are not steep enough for fans to see over the players on the sidelines, so the first 20 or so rows will not be used. This will reduce the amount of fans from 83,000 to 60,000. Greene stressed that attention to detail and the presentation are key to maintaining a high caliber field.

Goal posts have arrived for the Penn State vs UCF football game.

We then met up with David Hackett, the Grounds Supervisor for Trinity College. David has to wear many different hats, from general turf manager to arborist to maintaining Trinity properties around Dublin as well as working with the historical aspect of the college.

David's maintenance philosophy is to use as few inputs as possible. Trinity returns clippings to almost all of the fields and only applies nitrogen when needed; no phosphorous or potassium. They also only spot treat weeds, disease, and other agronomic problems. With a staff of around 13, with two off at an off-site athletic facility, it is surprising that there is only one true person focused on maintaining the sports fields for rugby, cricket, soccer, and an official grass running track.

When talking about the cricket field, David said, "You have to do everything wrong that you were taught; no nutrition, scarify the grass, mow till it is almost dead, no water, and on top of that you roll the wicket at total of 40 man hours."

Me with David Hackett, Grounds Supervisor for Trinity College in Dublin.