I agree with some of your criticisms, jim ,particuarly [dressing up].
in relation to the fleadhs,they do have a large impact as they are televised,they also attract many musicians, who have nothing to do with the competitions,but who go for the craic, and seem to have a good time and make lots of good music.
in my opinion the best competitions are the ceilidh bands[ the music is still danceable, and sounds like dance music because the rhythym instruments[ often pianos] play on the beat.,rather than just filling in the sound ,the music still has lift[something frequently missing on geanntrai tg4 programmes, and also with players who never play for dancing].