i have to agree that mck hanly's version is among the best.

i was in the boyne valley a year ago , staying at a lovely spot called the decoy cottages, and we went to a nearby pub in a village called screen. i wondered if that was the site of the origional song==but i guess not.

i do love that song. i think john renborne's group ship of fools did a fine version as well--but that takes me back to an old album long gone.

hanly's album "a kiss in the morning early" is one of the best folk albims of all time "over black water" from the same era is also fine

i play it with a finger picking style guitar accompanyment, in dadgad tuning. people respond well at gigs, but i lack hanly's subtle ornimentation.