1985
The song was written by brothers Frank & Sean O'Meara
Jim McCann, who often played with The Dubliners had the most success with it, but it was also sang by The Wolfe Tones, John McDermott, Barleycorn, and Anthony Kearns to name but a few singers. And at least also Andrea Rock & the Rebel Poets in their Ep "Mnà" (Women).

It was written about Joseph Plunket and Grace Gifford who married hours before Joseph was executed for his part in the 1916 rising in Dublin

Tom Clarke was a source of inspiration in the Post Office.
There was Joseph Plunket, pale and weak having come directly from the hospital where he had just undergone an operation.Joseph was shot seated, as he was too ill to stand for the firing squad.
He struggled to be with his comrades on that eventful morning. Margaret Skinnider said he looked like death and he met his death a few days later, not a natural one but... (Continues)