Ireland is extremely lucky with its traditional repertoire(s).
There is the Irish language one, almost exclusively lyrical, non-narrative, highly poetic and elabourately ornamented. Then the English language native Irish repertoire, a mix of narrative and lyrical and taking much from the Irish language tradition. There is a very rich Anglo-Irish - Scots repertoire, particularly noticeable in the ballads which have survived here. Over fifty Child ballads have been recovered over the last forty years, including some which have totally disappeared elsewhere (Lamkin, Prince Robert, Johnny Scott, The Suffolk Miracle, Young Hunting, The Maid and The Palmer, The Demon Lover, Fair Margaret and Sweet William.....).
I am just becoming aware of the local repertoires, particularly those which have been made in the 20th century. This area has proved to be particularly rich in these.
Emigration is one of the most popular subjects, but we have found half a dozen songs about the wreck of a French sailing ship in 1907, four dealing with the Rineen Ambush, (an event during the 'Black and tan' period) and four concerning the West Clare railway, a single track affair which served this coast up to the early 60s.
There are dozens upon dozens of others covering local events and characters.
One of the odd features of all these is that they nearly all have no known author, though they must have been written during the lifetimes of the singers.
All this has led to a very varied, all-encompassing repertoire.
For me, diversity is one of the greatest strengths of the Irish repertoire. The danger of favouring one category over has been underlined for me by the Irish music organisation's (CCE) neglect of, verging on hostility to the Anglo repertoire.
Jim Carroll