Not sure the argument of who made the songs is relevant here John (I would certainly like to avoid re-opening the argument)
It was you who kindly gave me a copy of the 'Lord Leitrim' article and we have discussed the importance of locally made songs over a pint
Many of the songs we have discovered were spontaneously made, never (to my knowledge) written down and have survived orally
Even the 'ballad selling' trade' largely by non-literate Travellers, was based on orally transmitted songs recited to a printer.
There is evidence that orally made and transmitted songs have existed in these islands since the time of the Venerable Bede so we can safely assume that the practice of oral composition continued right into the twentieth century and may still be alive among Travellers - it most certainly was thirty years ago.
Right thread Keith - wrong answer
I was referring to individual copies not the industry
Jim Carroll