I mentioned the Fleadh, in the context of this thread, because of the surprising number of (step/sean-nos) dancers out on the streets, still a post Riverdance wave I assume. It was more or less my first Fleadh (although I did have a quick look at the previous one, while it was near) but it did leave me with the impression Comhaltas is not quite played out yet. You're right ofcourse county fleadhs are unmemorable non events, unless you're into competitions, from the few I have seen.

I can say that when the local branch was set up years ago I received a phone call demanding a list of the people I was teaching at the time (they should become members ofcourse) together with quite incessant questioning about what I taught, who I taught, how many and how often as well as the duration and price of a lesson. The woman in question went as far as trying it on, when no information was forthcoming, by saying she ha a practice set and wanted to know for that reason. I was pretty uncomfortable with the whole incident.

Anyhow, I wouldn't underestimate or dismiss them yet.