Hrothgar, The song which includes "Ballyjamesduff" is actually "Come back Paddy Reilly" it is in the DT.
The Town he was challenged to write the song on was Drumcollogher,
The Paddy Reilly of the song was a Jarvey who transported Percy French to his work, Paddy for reasons best known to himself, departed Ballyjamesduff for foreign shores and as Paddy was an entertaining sort and kept Percy amused with all the local gossip, he regretted the loss of Paddy`s company and thus was born the song.
Harvey Andrews your memory is correct, BBC televised French`s life story in 1958,and also the late Brendan O`Dowda who performed French`s songs did a really brilliant programme on his life for RTE TV, interviewing some of the people who knew French/
The interview with one of Percy`s neice`s was fascinating, her reciting of Percy`s poem,Comody`s mare was hilarious.
He also met one of Paddy Reilly`s relations, a programme to savor, and if my memorys correct it ran for 90 minutes. Ard Mhacha.