Hi there GuestJoeMoran!

I don't play this sort of material much myself, but some that do tell me that the secret is to use open tunings, rather than standard EADGBE.

The basic idea is to play the guitar as if it were a 6-string Appalachian dulcimer: melody on a couple of strings - usually the middle two - and the rest as drones. (Play guitar, but think Uillean bagpipes!)

Favoured tunings are DADGAD and CGDGAD, though there are several others.

In my own playing, I prefer to stick with EADGBE, or drop D (DADGBE)because it allows you to pswitch to any key without grabbing for a capo, but I don't deny that open tuning arrangements are very effective in the right context. (for some good examples, try getting hold of a copy of Dick Gaughan's Album "Coppers and Brass")

Wassail!