I don't know much about Paddy Doran. Paddy Tunney (Stone Fiddle) writes of meeting him at Glencar in (presumably) the early 1950s, and learning songs from him; Peter Kennedy and Sean O'Boyle recorded him and his wife Mary in Belfast in 1952. According to Kennedy, he was originally from New Ross, Co. Wexford. He was a Traveller; apparently of tinker rather than Romany stock. Several of their songs are in Kennedy's Folksongs of Britain and Ireland, and some 'field' recordings are available from Folktrax.

There are some further brief details at  http://www.folktrax.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/menus/performer_d.htm

Jim Carroll would know more, I expect.

Yes, Greg, I ought to have mentioned the Isla Cameron connection; but I had nothing useful to add. I've subsequently found a sound clip which may be of her singing it at http://www.folkways.si.edu/search/AlbumDetails.aspx?ID=1769#

Would you confirm that it's her? It's essentially the familiar tune and text; the recording was originally issued in 1962.