In fact, Tomás O Cannainn's "SOngs of Cork" is not much help. His source had learned it in COlea (Co. COrk) in the early 20 C. and thought "it was written by a man called Cronin...". Cronins, BTW, are ten-a-penny in COrk!

My guess is that it was written mid- late- 19C. - probably by a bored schoolteacher looking at a (largely pink) map.

Great song, though it takes some singing.

Regards

p.s. It may or may not be coincidence that "The Good Ship Kangaroo", though of musichall origins, was collected from Mrs. Bess Cronin (that name again...) in the same are.