'they are in no way racist and were never intended to be'

Maybe they were not intended to be but certain ones are :-

'Would you not like an Irish tune played by someone who is not Irish ?'
'Should music of other countries only be performed or recorded by musicians from those countries?'

These are both based on race / nationality rather than musical ability, likes / dislikes.

I accept they were not intended but that doesnt alter the fact.

Following the thread concerning a comment about Dick Miles, I find these comments more racist than a throwaway remark by a female attendee.