Tributes are being paid to renowned Clare hurley maker John Torpey, who has died at the age of 84.
The founder of Torpey’s Hurleys has been remembered as a master of his craft who “lived his life for the betterment of others”.
John set up the now highly acclaimed hurley business in Sixmilebridge in 1981, making traditional ash hurleys before launching the innovative Bambú make in recent years.
He hurled with the O’Callaghan’s Mills minor panel in 1955 and played his final game for The Mills at the age of 52.
After moving to Wicklow when he finished school, John played intercounty hurling for The Garden County, winning a Junior All-Ireland title in 1967.
He moved home the following year and joined the Clare panel, while also winning an intermediate title with O’Callaghan’s Mills, a feat he would achieve again in 1977.
O’Callaghan’s Mills clubman Pat O’Brien says his long stint as a player greatly informed his career as a craftsman.
John was a member of the Kilkishen Development Committee since its foundation in 2011.
He played a key role in a number of fundraising initiatives through the years, including the Lord and Lady competition, numerous Golf Classics, the raffle of a Ferguson 35 tractor and draws for All-Ireland tickets.
Kilkishen Development member Olivia King says he lived every day with a smile on his face.
John was heavily involved in Scór in Clare throughout its heyday and played a key role in an event that recognised its historical significance.
The Settling Old Scórs concert was held in the West County Hotel in 2014 to revisit the best the competition had to offer, raising funds for the Clare Local Development Company and Children’s Health Ireland.
Family friend and Sixmilebridge GAA chairman Syl O’Connor says the event symbolised John’s lifelong devotion to improving the lives of others.
John is survived by his wife Mary, and children Patricia, Pauline, Connie, Claire, Karol and Sean.
He will be laid to rest in Clonlea Cemetery on Thursday, following Funeral Mass at St Senan’s Church, Kilkishen, at noon.
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