Does it really matter when songs were written. Songs from the 16th/17th/18th/19th century were far less likely to have been written down much less printed on broadsheet. Remember the majority, native, Catholic Irish were repressed. Most did not have access to print, most were poorly educated having been denied an education. It is no surprise that few songs have stood the test of time.

And I know were you are going with this one Keith. Something like, they didn't write songs therefore nothing was wrong.

You really don't have a clue about history do you, you just like stirring things up so you can be the centre of attention.

Tell you what I go to Ireland at least once a year. How about we meet up in a bar in the west. I'll pay for all the food and drink and you carry on this conversation there.