The earliest evidence of the Dunphy family in Jerpoint is seen on a headstone in the local graveyard dating back to 1750. Joe Dunphy taught for 29 years in the parish of Ballyhale and two years in Ballyraggett. His father was a gamekeeper in Mount Juliet, as was his grandfather before him. Joe’s passion for the game of hurling is evident in this recording, as he mentions the local players and their great skills. He is proud of the fact that they won seven County finals. He himself played in the first two finals. Included in this interview are stories about poaching and snapnet fishing. This interview finishes with a recitation by Joe of one of the poems he wrote himself, taken from his great repertoire.
Keywords: Ballyhale, national school, teacher, Mount Juliet, gamekeeper, hurling, poaching, salmon, poetry fishing
