A bit late in posting this but I have only just found the thread. Accrording to my information it was written by Ellen Mary Patrick Downing (1828 - 1869).The wording of the version I have is just a little different. For instance the first verse is as follows: "On Carrigdhoun the heath is brown, The clouds are dark o'er Ardnalee, And many a stream comes rushing down To swell the angry Ownabwee." etc

Also in both verses the "heath is brown."

Incidentally Carrigdhoun is situated west of Cork City in Ireland. Mike