I love this song and sing it often, however I have never heard another man sing it even though the lyric is definitely a mans lyric.

All the versions mentioned in here, except Boys of the Lough, are by women. Perhaps this is because the melody really suits that lovely lilt which Irish women singing so often have.

Incidentally, I can't remember where I read but this is a bit of a Romeo and Juliet, forbidden love song; the final verse referring to people frowning on a cross community relationship. Not an unknown situation in the sisx counties.