About the song, it predates both the clancy's and the dubliners hence the pouges as well. I have an old recording in storage by a Patrick galvin from the 50's I think. Galvin was a poet who to my knowledge only had 1 released album on major label, but he wasn't really a singer. I do not think he wrote the song but its the earliest recording that I know of.

to Master Mcgrath cheers!