Besides the identity of Harry (or Jerry or Darby) O'Brien, it would be good to know when John Connell was born (allegedly ca1762) and when and why he "went to Cork." The song must have been written after that.

I believe that in the 18th century young men of the gentry were usually sent to the university between the ages of sixteen and eighteen.

Any Connell (or O'Brien) genealogists out there?