Why would people have instruments lying around and NOT use them to play music with? That doesn't sound quite right. Irish music is quite rhythmic - even the old stuff, I can't imagine that people wouldn't use a drum if they had one.

Also - what about the whistle and flute? As earlier stated, they are really old instruments. Actually, they are probably the first "noted" instruments created by mandkind.

Also - violins/fiddles have been around for over 300 years - I realize the poor didn't have much access to them, but not all "folk" music is music of the poor.