Hello everyone:

Thanks for the responses to this. I heard this song from a local Irish band whose name I can't remember because I can't find the darn tape. The singer was an Irishman named Chris Andretti who is now living in County Roscommon in Ireland. I did manage to track down one of the other band members (John Caulfield) who still lives in the Bay Area. He thought that Ballyroan was a traditional song that Chris had put an air to but I would guess that the song has a recent author, judging from the lyrics. I did track down Chris' address in Ireland so I will write to him and see what I can find out.

I have not heard Dolores Keane's version of the song. Does anyone know if it's listed as traditional on her album?

Richard