you are quite right ,Marje,and it is hardly surprising that Irish and English music are so close.
A brief look at history,reveals that Ireland was ruled by England until 1921,and part of Ireland is stillpart of the UK,this probably explains a lot.
some Irish people do not realise,that England has any other traditional music other than Morris dancing and shanties,but then a lot of English people have no knowledge or respect for their own musical heritage,either.