"Danny Boy" is based on this traditional Irish tune popular in the 1850s
[DOC] [TLE] The Great Irish Famine in Songs [PAR] Though fairly few Irish folk songs deal with the Great Famine and while the 
authenticity ... 20 An obvious and world-famous example is the melody for 'Danny 
Boy', .... of them were recorded by the constabulary, the figure rising to 100,000 in 
1850.