In 1990, Cowdery classified this reel within the “Boyne Water” family, noting that its second strain “can be seen as a version of the ‘Ballydesmond Polka’ strain stretched out like an accordion, leaving room to drop to A halfway through, yet still providing a more elaborate but recognizable version of our four (‘Boyne Water’) phrases.” Meanwhile, Caoimhin Mac Aoidh observes that “Farewell to Ireland” remains one of the great reels in the Irish tradition.