<P> "Star of the County Down" is an Irish ballad set near Banbridge in County Down, in Northern Ireland . The words are by Cathal McGarvey (1866--1927) from Ramelton, County Donegal . The tune is similar to several other works, especially that of the English "Dives and Lazarus", also called "Kingsfold", well known from several popular hymns . </P> <P> The melody was also used in an Irish folk song called "My Love Nell". The lyrics of "My Love Nell" tell the story of a young man who courts a girl but loses her when she emigrates to America . The only real similarity with "Star of the County Down" is that Nell too comes from County Down . This may have inspired McGarvey to place the heroine of his new song in Down as well . McGarvey was from Donegal . </P>

When was star of the county down written
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