Bill Townsend began work as a young boy in the Mount Juliet estate, in 1958. He was involved in the stud farm and the hunter yard. He worked under stud grooms O’Neill, McRobert and Bolger. Bill’s father and mother also worked for Major Victor McCalmont, his father in the hunter yard and his mother as a cook. He spoke about the many great horses which the stud produced. The management and running of the stud and the hunter yard were explained in great detail. The hurling, the cricket and the hunt were discussed. Tom was a member of the Mount Juliet Band, and played in many venues around the country.
Keywords: Jerpoint, Thomastown, groom, Mount Juliet, stud farm, Major Victor McCalmont, Mount Juliet band