From your description, the singer you are looking for may be Cedric Smith. He sings the lead vocals on "Carrighfergus" on Loreena McKennitt's 1985 debut album "Elemental". He is the only male singer on the album although there is a STUNNING reading of a Robert Blake poem by Scottish Shakespearian actor Douglas Campbell.
I hope this is the recording you are looking for. It is easily my favorite interpretation of "Carrighfergus".