Everywhere I've travelled in the English-speaking world I have found that among the best-loved folkies are The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. Their significance I am sure, is acknowledged outside the Irish diaspora as well as inside. Anyone who had the thrill of attending one of their live performances was never to forget it.

Its true that some traditional music people in Irish circles looked askance at their tendency to up the tempo on some songs but they were a huge influence on the vigorous expansion of Irish music and the next generation of Clancys is continuing the trend.