John Reilly was an interesting singer - pity he didn't live long enough to be recorded in depth
He sand a couple of versions of Lord Gregory too (Lord Googly being one, according to Tom)
In some ways, he appeared to bear out David Buchan's theory of their being no set texts to ballads, t=rather, they were "re-created" each time they were sung
"(I can't post when I add my name, I don't know why)"
Why not become a member Kevin?

I really am grateful for all this information on Irish versions of ballads - it's all being filed for use when this sound-based bit is completed.

I wonder if people have an opinion on an addition to this
We have a number of often surprising Irish versions of narrative songs we have collected or acquired over the years
Among the first we recorded was 'Roger the Miller (Father's Grey Mare)' up to a version of 'The Maid With The Box on her Head' recorded from a 96 years old farmer a couple of years ago

I have decided to put up some 'ballads' Child might have missed, (Widow of Westmorland, Constant Farmers Son... et al) - would the songs be of interest to anybody?
Jim