As it happens,Brian Peters and myself sang the Wild Rover last night at Saxmundham folk club (it was his idea!).We were the booked guests and we travelled over 500 miles to do so ( we did a few other songs as well).Not the usual version of course - we did an english version (its not really an irish song anyway).
Some of the other suggestions,yes,I agree with.I feel myself slipping into the slough of despond when I hear the opening lines of Willie MacBride or The Green Fields Of France - interminable, and we know the story doesnt end well.Ride On, again seems to go on forever,although in this case no-one has a clue what its about.But they were all good songs once.
Maybe bringing life back into them is the ultimate singing challenge.Usually, singing one of these songs simply indicates a lack of imagination - but if you really want to sing the song, and love it and do it in your own way, then you may bring something fresh to it, and I would say - do it anyway.