Tin Pan Alley plastic shamrock-&-leprecaun songs (which is all there was in my neck of the woods in those days) - TO - The Clancy Brothers & similar bands

Then:

The Clancys & co (whom I still like & listen to) - TO - Unaccompanied traditional singers & later seán nos

It was always a matter of following and focusing. But the sentimental ballads and paddywhackery were what first attracted my notice of "Irish" as a musical identity (well, I was just a little kid...)

FWIW it also inspired me to pick out tunes on the piano and even make up my own little jigs. It was a black day for my long-suffering mother when I worked out The Irish Washerwoman - she was then treated to a non-stop diet of it, relieved only by enthusiastic bursts of the Dragnet theme (which I thought was really cool) and DaVEEEEE, Daveee Crockett...