Not everyone understands ~ not even most of the participants ~ that St. Patrick's celebrations in the US are (quite properly) celebrations of Irish-American culture and experience, and only secondarily concerned with memories of the Auld Sod itself.

Seen in that light, numbers such as "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" and "McNamara's Band" ~ not to mention the ubiquitous "Danny Boy" ~ are absolutely appropiate to the tradition in question, regardless of their historic connection to Ireland, or lack thereof. Songs whose origin is in Hollywood, California, (rather than the Hollywood up there in Ulster) should NOT be regarded as candidates for automatic exclusion.

Of course, performers who can present a truer image of the "real" Ireland, who have learned and can demonstrate genuine Irish traditional music and dance, will almost always be welcome. But not if they look down their noses at us ignorant Mick Yanks naively enjoying our own culture!