My 10 cents - seein as it is Irish music sessions that are givin problems - Back before Joe Cooley and the Chieftans (Notice the Bothy band etc followed the arrival of the Cheiftans) Trad was played in a sorta back kitchen style by folk who learned it at home (Ireland) - the best players all ended up overseas - If you turned up at one of those gatherings with a Guitar they would have fussed over your arrival! In those times they were largely ignored except for occasional 'nights' The Irish overseas were listening to Buck Owens, Beatles etc. The Folk clubs/bars were playing the Blues!

If you are ever in my neck of the woods - welcome will you be to play any way you like :) If you've a fiddle I will second for ya - if you are learning I will help ya - if you've a Guitar I'll scratch out a few Long Dances on da violin or the melodian or what ever - if you wanna boogie (I love boogie woogie) I will do a bass player impression -a student of the bass