jimmyt,

come over in the festival season and spend a week at Whitby Folk Festival (just finished for this year)- you'll see all varieties of Morris and hear all varieties of music and song, and can take part in workshops to learn more about them. And you'll have a wonderful time!

At Whitby and at Sidmouth, the official events in the program included Irish music sesions and English music sessions, so yes, there is a recognised distinction in practice, though there will be some overlap.