I was at their concert in the Ulster Hall in Belfast in the early 60's and have been a fan ever since. They ignited an interest in Irish Music that was always there but a little below the surface. When the interest grew the new singers/musicians did more research into the material and a generation of musical snobs evolved, and the Clancys etal were seen as comercial entertainers rather than true singers of folk songs. I encountered the same snobbery with some Irish speakers, they always complained that the language was dying and something had to be done, but when the interest in the language grew and many people started speaking it these same language snobs did not feel so special anymore. I always felt many of them wanted to keep a closed shop,all others were viewed as outsiders. Anyone who maligns the Clancy's are probably those who feel they are more traditional and as such true folkies rather than commercial folkies, although not one of them would refuse the opportunity to make it big the way the Clancy's did. I hope this makes sense.