Paul Murphy (b. 1919) (part 2)

In this recording, Paul Murphy recalls the war years and the Emergency, and the difficulties in farming at that time. Jimmy Lennon, the local ploughman who worked on the Murphy farm, was a champion ploughman, who tied for first place in an All Ireland Ploughman competition at that time. It was not until the Emergency period, when compulsory tillage was introduced, that Paul Murphy began to grow wheat for export. The local pattern day at Sheastown is recalled, it was a great and important day at the holy well. The family would also travel to the pattern day at St Mullins in Carlow. As a young lad he would cycle to Croke Park in Dublin when Kilkenny were playing in the All Ireland Hurling final. He discusses the meanings of local placenames, family names, sheep rearing and harvesting the crops.