The OP "version" not only has an "Irish feel to it," it's an Irish tune, completely different from the one Shawn posted, in a different key (D vs A). The actual origin of the A tune is unclear, but it may have been composed by a Scotsman, who had lived in Ireland, but was composed in London, and used in a play with the same name - so your comments are quite perceptive. There's a long discussion about this at the Session, with some lengthy passages from early writings.
Meanwhile, I just came across another, completely different tune with this name (in 6/8 time, key of G) in an American collection from c.1801, along with instructions for the "Country Dance." More about it later.

Speed the plow is a good name for a tune -- so no wonder it got recycled for a variety of melodies. I found this Middle English poem in praise of the plow

luminarium.org/medlit/medlyric...speed.php

"Whan men bygyne to sowe,
fful wel here corne they knowe,
In the mounthe of May.
Howe ever Ianyuer blowe,
Whether hye or lowe,
God spede the plowe all way!"

Ianyuer = January....which is blowing pretty high at the moment...Hang in there y'all in the path of the polar vortex and keep looking towards spring!!

Modern title: “speed the John Deere?”
Not as catchy!

Yeah... the OP unrelated Irish reel to tune called 'Speed the Plough' I've heard. (I only know the one whose form /family I shared)

Seems I might have known that Irish reel at some point. It's a really nice tune. Good playing, too

Here's a Great Crossover version of the English tune i know as "Speed The Plough" By your man Paul Kirk With explanations of where he got it. I really like it and it would go almost perfectly with the tune played and dance by Morris sides throughout England when ever, and where ever they can get away with it. I like the slight crookedness he puts in there! They don't do that in England anymore.

Speed The Plough
 

Its not that they don't do that "anymore" - he says that he added the "crookedness." It was interesting to hear that it was collected by Cecil Sharp. I read somewhere that this tune was not commonly used for Morris dancing, but that it was introduced to the Bampton side via Sharp somehow.

Paul Kirk is good, but he's no Hulda Quebe: youtu.be/ZPCf6NrYGwg?si=9xV26oUw7Lj0Z95g Just kidding, but that's a good medley.

No he aint!

Interesting they introduced Temperance or Teatotaller 3rd time round ...I wonder if they go together?

edit: Think the version i know of speed the plough was first in the tune books around 1835-40. Dont know what the tune i played in the op is/was but it's not speed the plough to me.

Each of the sisters play a solo tune in that medley, then they all come back in with a harmonized version of "Speed the Plow." I think the second tune is "Maid Behind the Bar."
The earliest printing I know of "Speed the Plow" over here was in "Knauff's Virginia Reels" from 1839. Its very similar to what's in "Ryan's" from 1883 and to what's played today. Except by some people!

yea 3rd tune is temperance/teatotallers

Right. At least I (almost) know that one. I saw the Quebe Sisters twice, once at the VFW in Mountain City, TN. A very intimate show. When I saw them again, on their "farewell tour," I asked them if they remembered that show and they did. Great music and really nice people.

Wow talk about an 'underground' venue! The 2nd tune is The Silver Spire.
Pete, your OP tune is this one. The mysterious third Speed the Plow is this one, apparently collected in Wisconsin USA.

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I think NC has a good idea going...we need to write a 2026/OT tune called, "Speed the John Deere," or maybe call it, "Hurry up with that John Deere so we can go out to the fishin' hole."

I think this is where I got my Speed the Plow from, but not sure. I don't have the cassette anymore. Anyone know where this collection can be heard these days?

https://www.discogs.com/release/5772670-Burl-Hammons-The-Fiddling-Of-Burl-Hammons