I wonder whether anyone knows anything more about Colm Gallagher. It is such a peculiar and enchanting song that I'd like to know more about its author.

Interestingly, on his site, Tommy Makem credits Gallager with both the words and the music. Others, including on this site, recognise it as a traditional tune. With its 6/4 (rather than 6/8) feel, divided into 4/4 and 2/4 it certainly sounds like a traditional tune (or an exceptionally good pastiche of one), but perhaps the "Holy mo..." section was added by Gallagher, and possibly the "Diddnya" bit too. I wonder whether the minor-key version of the main tune that they play in the instrumental is the "original" Boys of Ballysadare but the overall composition is by Gallagher using the traditional air as its main feature. I'd certainly be interested to hear other thoughts on this.