There is discussion above about the possible Scots and Irish origins of words in the song and also the assertion that it is an old Irish song but according to Kilgarriff's authoritive SING US ONE OF THE OLD SONGS A Guide to Popular Song 1860-1920 the song was written by the prolific Victorian music hall writer and performer Harry Clifton who was I believe English. Clifton clearly had one ear listening out for good traditional tunes as is evidenced by his choice of The traditional tune Nightingales Sing for his song PRETTY POLLY PERKINS OF PADDINGTON GREEN and perhaps there was a pre-existing Irish song on which he based Rocky Road. If anyone has evidence for this I would like to know.Other songs by Clifton can be heard in the clubs such as THE CALICO PRINTERS CLERK , MY RATTLING MARE MARE AND I and ON BOARD OF THE KANGEROO which are regarded by many to be traditional.