He was a man who tried his hand at many things — farmer, taxi-driver, horseman, agricultural contractor, publican.

Jimmy Power (The Castle), Carrigadustra, Kilmeaden, and The Bungalow, Carrick Road, Portlaw, was well known between the wars through the Waterford Hounds and as a point-to-point rider. He partnered “Arnaprier” from the Curraghmore Stable to success at Lisnakill racecourse (below), where he was a regular competitor in the thirties.

Jimmy then went from combine-harvesting in the early fifties to running what’s now The Pellum Bar at Brown Street, Portlaw. He also had a livery stable and hired out hunters. As his nephew Denis Hayes recalls, Jimmy loved the Tramore Races, never missing the August festival, stopping in at The Sweep for one or two on the way home.

One of twelve siblings, before he was married young James had a hackney car and stayed with his publican sister, Lil ‘The Sweep’ Hayes. When someone needed the services of the local midwife — namely ‘Nurse Willie’ (Power), his sister-in-law, who lived nearby — Jimmy would get a knock to collect her in his car and attend to the pregnancy.

“Uncle Jimmy” died in 1980, aged 76. He was predeceased by his wife Peggy (née O’Connell, Clonea), with whom he had one son, John, retired veterinary surgeon, Waterford, who inherited his father’s passion for country pursuits.

Top image: A colourised photograph of Jimmy Power (The Castle), Carrigadustra and subsequently "The Hunting Stables", Carrick Road, Portlaw, who was a noted horseman between and after the wars. [Lynch Family Collection]