All that can presently (October 2025) be gleaned about Nelly Farrell from sheet music covers and by Internet searching is that she was presumably an Irish music hall performer who has been featured on 9 works published between 1879 and 1892.
The sheet music cover of Give Heed to the Plea of Old Ireland (1892) music by Alfred Lee, co-author Oswald Allan, and published by Chas. Sheard & Co., , shown on the left bills her as the Glittering star of Erin..
After appearing at The Middlesex in 1881, the Saturday 02 July 1881 issue of The Era reviewed her as follows:
Miss Nelly Farrell, who is evidently a very great favourite here, continues to delight the frequenters of the Hall with her talented and earnest performances. She sang with force and feeling of loving "The land where the Shamrock grows;" as a warm-hearted Irish lass, sang "Paddy, you'll be welcome home;" represented "A gay cantineer," who is the pet of the Fourth Royal Irish Dragoons; and, dressed as a sailor, gave an excellent rendering of "Does thy heart beat to true me," the chorus of which was taken up by the audience appreciatingly and harmoniously.
Surfers are welcome to contribute any further information about this performer.