In a way, I think my point is that De Valera's nationalist conservatism, allied with a Catholic church bent on close control of its flock, provided the environment in which organisations such as Comhaltas could operate. As you say, "preserving in aspic" became the norm.

Regards
p.s. I have no doubt, incidentally, that Comhaltas' work has been crucial in producing the current healthy state of traditional music in Ireland.