A quick internet search yields no information about the O'Donnell of Iveragh, Co Kerry, Ireland; who may be the subject of this song. But the Whiteboy connection would also be relevant to the case of Edmund Sheehy, James Buxton and Buck Farrell; held in Clonmel Gaol, Co Tipperary and executed in Clogheen 3 May 1775. The three men were convicted of the murder of John Bridge and of aiding and assisting the Whiteboys.

https://www.executedtoday.com/2019/05/03/1766-edmund-sheehy-james-buxton-and-buck-farrell-whiteboys/

"A number of versions have survived of Buxton's last speech and dying words, in which he attempted to justify Whiteboy activities. According to one version, he declared on mounting the gallows that the ‘Levellers’ (Whiteboys) had tried to put a stop to the oppressive and arbitrary valuation of the tithe jobbers and had agreed to deal for tithes with none but the immediate proprietors. He denied that he had attended any Whiteboy meetings or taken any part in their activities, rejecting the testimonies of his accusers and disavowing knowledge of the death of John Bridge. He discounted rumours of a rebellion and invasion in the kingdom, though he alleged that he had been promised a pardon by the Revs Hewson and Broderick if he would testify to the contrary."
Éamonn Ó Ciardha
https://www.dib.ie/biography/buxton-james-a1315

Sources for Dictionary of Irish Biography article:

A. Griffiths, Miscellaneous tracts (1788), 253–4; J. Redington (ed.), Calendar of the home office papers, 1760–1765 (1878), 27; J. Collins, ‘Gleanings from old Cork newspapers’, Cork Hist. Soc. Jn., lxxii (1967), 73–4; James S. Donnelly, ‘The Whiteboy movement, 1761–5’, IHS, xxi (1978–9), 20–54
Publishing information
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3318/dib.001315.v1
Originally published October 2009 as part of the Dictionary of Irish Biography
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