Here is a bit more information on Iain, the writer of the famous song, who unfortunately is quite ill I understand. Iain is the father of my five cousins, Aisling, Niall, Tilde, Ailbhe and Donagh McCarthy.

Iain MacCárthaigh is one of Ireland's most experienced copywriters and promotional strategists. He has written for both major Irish political parties; for the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Finance, and Industry & Commerce, and for the European Union.
Corporate and brand campaigns he created include such diverse institutions as Aer Lingus, Bank of Ireland, Cement-Roadstone Holdings, Dunlop, Eagle Star, Guinness, ICI, Irish Tourist Board, Siemens Nixdorf Computers, RTÉ (national TV and radio), Renault, Shell, VG and Williams & Humbert.
Originally a journalist, Iain was a PR executive with the Irish Tourist Board before switching to advertising. He was a founder-member of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland and is a Past President of the Institute of Creative Advertising and Design. Iain is Couchman's primary creative consultant.