We had a week's holiday in south west Ireland the other year and found a good session every night.

All the sessions we got to were very welcoming and inclusive.

At Brown's in Killarney a nice little group of musicians around the table playing a good selection of tunes. They had home-burned CDs for sale to us tourists and I'm still playing mine on a regular basis.

Whilst in the bar, an american couple walked in, said "Aw gee, real Irish music", took a photograph and walked out! The whole pub justed folded up with laughing...

In Cork it took a tour of about 6 pubs to find the authentic though. There were the usual "can't play good so play loud and fast" and some very good bluegrass and apalachian but eventually found the real thing in a posh hotel bar. A melodeon and guitar with a bit of amplification and a few locals at the bar who took a mic and sang occasionally. Having joined in enthusiastically with the choruses, at the interval we were asked if we would like to sing. Chatting at the end they couldn't believe that the English also sang and had folk clubs...

And to round of an excellent holiday - saw Dick Miles busking at a local lighthouse.

Cheers

Julian