Raggytash,

Although there were a lot of pubs with rebel or "Country and Irish" bands playing, there was certainly proper trad music in the Chasin' Bull and Slieve League on various nights, in both of which I was not only allowed but encouraged to sing as well as to join in with the tunes as much as my limited ability on the guitar would permit. In the Bridge Bar there was another fine singer from Dublin and one or two (apparently) locals who were also coaxed into singing. It's a pity your experience was so different.

If you had a bunch of musicians, perhaps you could have asked in some of the pubs where nothing was arranged and started your own session.

As for going back, I probably will at some time as there is first class trout fishing and golf in the area anyway: man does not holiday by music alone.

wr