Slight correction to that last quotation; as far as I recall, the whole thing reads, "I knew a wise man who was so much of Sir ------'s opinion that he said, if a man..&c" That is, F of S isn't actually endorsing the view he gives, simply stating it. Anyway, who could ever make all the ballads of a nation; as has been noted several times above, there are various interest-groups.

In response to the original posting:

Phelim Brady, the 'Bard of Armagh'" (he actually held a rather different position)

The Wild Colonial Boy

Mrs McGrath....