Incredibly beautiful song, indeed!

Can someone please explain to me the meaning of "only for nights in Ballygrant"? I mean just a moment ago he says "I wish I was in Carrighfergus" and then suddenly [he wants to be?] in Ballygran?

Sorry if this is a dumb question but English is not my native language... :) PLEASE someone explain this to me it really bothers me that I can't get the meaning of this line :)

Interestingly - I also thought (like Margaret) that the marble is for her tombstone.

And regarding the "handsome boatman": in many traditional slavic songs (Russian, Bulgarian, Serb) describing the moment of a hero's death or funeral the lyrics describe them being surrounded by beautiful/handsome people (be it male or female). I just drew a parallel between these songs and the "handsome boatman" above: I suppose in folk songs this is just a means of making -- an otherwise -- sad and even ugly event a little more acceptable...