Paddy Prendergast (b. 1958)

Paddy Prendergast is well-known and well admired for his prowess on the hurling fields of Kilkenny and elsewhere during his younger days. The recording was compiled as he walked through his fields, and recalls a great tragedy in his early life when his mother died when he was three years old, in Clara Upper. He and his siblings were reared by his aunt for some years, and on his father’s second marriage, the children returned to the family home. Paddy discusses his young days as a hurler, his motivation and drive. He was a great reader of Irish stories, and the story of Cúchulainn became a source of great inspiration to the young boy. His life was busy in those early days as he had to milk twelve cows before school, and he recalls his great companion of those years, and later, a Kerry spailpín from Dingle who came to help on the farm for one season and stayed for almost thirty years until his death. Paddy discusses his days of glory on the hurling field, his competitive spirit and his great sporting enthusiasm.