This ballad was extremely popular among source singer in this part of West Clare up to about 25 years ago. Tom Munnelly recorded a beautiful version from an old farmer, Joe Kennealey of North Clare and it was later used by Philip Donellan in his film on emigration 'Passage West'
Joe is still singing magnificently at 95.
Two years ago a couple of Travelling women (sister of Wexford Traveller Bill Cassidy, who we recorded in London in the 70s) were guests at a local singing weekend here. During a singing session the sisters were heard muttering together under their breaths at the back of the room - they were trying to put together their father's version of the ballad so one of them could sing it.
They didn't quite get it all but one of them sang what they could remember later that weekend
Jim Carroll