Hello all 'ye lovers of mirth'! Does anybody know what is the story behind 'O'Connell making children in Dublin by steam' and 'Lord Lieutenant not letting them be made the old way' as referred in the 'ditty' below?

I transcribed the lyrics (with some unclear / incorrect spots) from a cassette which I believe is a copy of a copy of some low-cost collection of Irish music 'for tourists', don't know the performers because there's only a hand written list of titles on. But the story struck me on first hearing: this is how the newsgroups / chats worked before!
Any idea of the author(s)?


Daniel O'Connell and His Steam Engine


Ye lovers of mirth I pray pay attention
and listen to what I'm about to relate
concerning a couple I overheard talking
as I was returning late home from a wake
as I rode along I met an old woman
who sat 'neath a cap just a-milking her cow
she was jigging the tune 'all come haste to the wedding'
or some other ditty I can't tell you now

On looking around me I spied a bold tinker
who only by chance came a-strolling that way
the weather being fine sure he sat down beside her
what news honest man this old woman did say
ah 't's no news at all mam replied the bold tinker
but the people will wish that ye never had been
(be sat ??... that) Daniel O'Connell
he's now making children in Dublin by steam

Arrah children (a-rue) then replied the old woman
or (...) is he crazy at last
is there a sign of a war or a sudden rebellion
or what is the reason he wants them so fast?
it's not that at all m'am replied the bold tinker
but the children of Ireland are getting so small
it's O'Connell's petition to the new Lord Lieutenant
that'll not let us make them the old way at all

By this pipe in me mouth then replied the old woman
and that's a great oath on me soul for to say
I'm only a woman but if I was near him
I'll bet you me life sure 'tis little he'd say
for the people of Ireland 'tis very well known
they give him their earning so needing it bad
and now he is well recompensing them for it
by taking what little diversion they had

Long life to your courage replied the bold tinker
and long may you live and have youth on your side
and if all the young girls in Ireland were like you
O'Connell could throw his steam engine (one sight)
I think every girl that is in this old country
should begin making children as fast as they can
so if ever Her Majesty asks for an army
we'll be able to send her as many as done

Hope you enjoy!

Arto K Sallinen, Joensuu Finland