Actually, some songs do get sung in the Irish session at the Old Road Tavern but yes the expectation is that it is a tunes session.

It is true that the majority of the players of 'sqeezy,scrapy,bangy things' will listen and clap very politely clap when someone (who will have often talked all through the tunes and will leave immediately after their song(s)) decides to inflict singing upon a session which is proceeding nicely without any. But the nature of the Old Road Tavern session should be clear to anyone who looks in.

If this were the only session in town, the odd song (from the participants) may be understandable but there are many places for songs and singing. I can only think that the audiences at these, are less apreciative than those who are forced for the duration of the songs, to sit and cradle the 'sqeezy,scrapy,bangy things' that they will have lugged to the session with the express intention to play them with other like minded players.   

I wonder if the majority of singers at the Black Horse and the many other sessions catering for singing and songs would be equally polite should someone decide that their session was lacking and decided to inflict tunes upon it, with their 'sqeezy,scrapy,bangy things'? Perhaps someone has experience of this?

With a litle bit of understanding and consideration for others, there is no reason for everyone not to have an enjoyable time at this fine festival.