A somewhat differing version was released under the name "The Kerry Boatman", by Dominic Behan on an LP called The Irish Rover, in 1965.
[check quotation syntax] The melody has been traced to an Irish-language song, "Do Bhí Bean Uasal" ("There Was a Noblewoman"), which is attributed to the poet Cathal Buí Mac Giolla Ghunna, who died in 1756 in County Clare.
For example, the Ancient Music of Ireland, published by George Petrie in 1855, contained an Irish-language song called "An Bhean Uasal" which featured many but not all of the sentiments used in Carrickfergus.
Gogan also refers to a recording of a song called "Sweet Maggie Gordon" which is kept in the Music for the Nation section of the US Library of Congress.
In contrast to the Ballingarry coal mines, Ballygrant quarry did indeed produce a "dark-grey to black marble"[4] variant of Islay limestone, which was a primary source of employment for locals during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The song was more recently performed by Loudon Wainwright III over the closing credits of an episode of HBO's series Boardwalk Empire.
[8] Other recordings of "Carrickfergus" have been made by Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, The Seekers and two former members of The Byrds, Roger Mcguinn and Chris Hillman, who both did solo versions.