The Roud Index lists the only source as Jackie Boyce: Songs of the County Down (2004) pp.182-183 (earlier edition 1979, pp 30-31).

The only entry in the BL catalogue is the Jane Cassidy recording.

The lyrics were posted on Mudcat back in '03 : Lyr Add: Sweet Portaferry, where you will find some more information, including the tune Sweet Portaferry as noted by Bunting.

It's not clear whether the Bunting tune was for this song or not. There is another Sweet Portaferry published in Ballads Of Down (1901), published by George Francis Savage -Armstrong, which gives the air as "Sweet Portaferry". You can find Bunting's piano version of the tune here: Ancient Music Of Ireland (1840), Edward Bunting.


Another copy of the tune: Davidson's Instrumental Gems at NLS.

There are several version on youtube and elsewhere (too many too link).

Mick