Well,supervisor, as I expect you are aware I failed to complete a PhD thesis in 1970 on the elctronic structures of certain molecules, using an iterative NPSO approach with the NCC modification; this was due to spending every night playing folk music in pubs, and failing to get up the following morning. But I can promise you that I have learnt a ittle more about application and meeting deadlines now.
On the specific question of evidence for cultural contacts, I need do no more than refer you to extensive documentation of fishing boat movements and crew details from contemporary local press in Kerry, Isle of Man etc, which I hope to correlate with tune and song survivals, specifically in late 19th MSS. I shall also be looking closely at boat-building methods, looking at Manx and Cumbrian workers settling in Munster ports. But of course, as my supervisor you are already familiar with all this in outline, if not in detail.