Trouble is, Charlotte, I really don't think it's a quality issue. The Unthanks are in good company in getting a shafting on this forum. Kate Rusby, Seth Lakeman, Show of Hands and others have all been abused. The one thing they have in common is their success

I stand to be corrected but I don't recall ever reading Planxty or Bothy Band slammed down here because they had been popular.

Dubliners may have (not sure here but I've known it it the 3d world) attracted the odd "yuck", but I've seen more recognition of talent's such as Luke Kelly's and Barney McKenna's than anything else. (And personally, I really do like the way Ronnie Drew can deliver a song, especially ones like Dicey Reilly - I think some songs really do suit him).