Here's what Vin Garbutt has to say in the notes to his CD Bandalised, where he sings the Rose and does it justice, with three verses that aren't often heard (at least one of which he wrote himself, and one he didn't, and I'm not sure about the one in between, but I'm pretty sure that is Vin's as well). I think the story is as moving as the one behind Spancil Hill:

"William Mulchinoc was a blind old man when he wrote the Rose for his childhood sweethear Mary O'Connor. She was a servant girl, and his parents, disapproving of their son's affection for someone so lowly, sent him off to become an officer in the British Army. While he was serving in India, Mary died of consumption.

"William never married, and never forgot his Rose of Tralee

"I (that is, Vin Garbutt) was given the India verse by a priest in London, and I wrote the last verse because I thought William deserved a mention."

And here are the three extra verses he sings (the others are in the Digital Tradition - and I don't think even Harry Fox will claim they aren't Public Domain):

On the far plains of India, mid war's distant thunder Her beauty was solace and comfort to me And all for the truth in her eyes ever dawning I'm lonesome tonight for the Rose of Tralee As chill autumn breezes, their promises keeping Sweep in through my window, my blind eyes can see Those visions of manhood its heartache providing And parents denying the Rose of Tralee. She was lovely and fair, I was young and I was foolish To think that a bride to me Mary could be Ah no, though her heart was won, from her I parted And left broken hearted the Rose of Tralee.