As also reported in the main J B Geoghegan thread I have recently commissioned some Stationers' Hall research in the National Archives. While seven of Geoghegan's songs were entered in the copyright register in the period 1842-84, there was no sign of 'Cockles and Mussels', nor indeed any such title attributed to James Yorkston. It is possible that placing 'Ent. Sta. Hall' on the title page of songs may have been a device to deter pirates, without actually going to the trouble of registering copyright.

I have also managed to obtain an original copy of the 'Ladies' Treasury' for 1882 and now give the above mentioned query and reply in full:

'Who is the composer and publisher of the song "Cockles and Mussels?" Beginning - For dear Dublin City, Where the girls are so pretty, and ending with - Cockles and mussels alive, O. [The song (1s 6d.) is by Mr. Geoghegan; published by B Williams, 60, Paternoster Row.]' (page 237)

I have moved to the position that the attribution of the song to James Yorkston in the Francis Bros & Day 1884 edition is at least rendered subject to question by the 1882 'Ladies' Treasury' statement that Geoghegan was the author.