As stated in other discussions here (see links above) the words were written by D K Gavan, 'The Galway Poet', for the English music hall performer Harry Clifton (1824-1872), who popularised the song. Jack Campin pointed out in another discussion that the tune is basically a 9/8 version of the old 3/2 hornpipe 'Cam Ye Ower Frae France', also known as 'The Keys of the Cellar'.