The name "Dark Moll" was taken from the traditional Irish song "Moll Dubh A' Ghleanna" which translates to "Dark Moll of the Glen."

Dark Moll of the Glen (trad. from the Irish, translation by Douglas Hyde and Cathie Ryan)

On the mountain I am lost with one cow for my herd
From the east to the west I am crossing
To where the sun will set; bereft of all my sense
With no solace from my love to guide me

She is dark Moll of the glen, she is dark Moll of the steed
Dark woman more red than roses
Oh, if I could but choose just one precious bloom
My dark Moll of the glen I would choose you

Down to the glen I look for my lone, my secret love
From my grey eyes the tears they are falling
Oh, my God of all grace, relieve me of this grief
For my dark Moll has left me breaking

To Leinster I would go to win a woman's love
And she with two thousand in her own herd
The earl's own daughter fair would have me in her snare
It is dark Moll alone who holds me

When the branch it withers the fruit no longer grows
As it will on the younger trees blooming
Oh, my dark one so lovely, I've given all mo chroi
I send farewell to thee for always

However, in Donegal, the name has hidden meaning, being a metaphor for the Poteen (illegal whiskey) still. A third (apocryphal) meaning comes from the time, some centuries ago, when the repressive regime in Ireland made the speaking of the name Ireland a punishable offence; the name "Dark Moll" was used instead, as a fitting synonym for the lovely green Isle...