I'm sure I read somewhere in a thread about someone who got told off by Greek listeners when he called the instrument he was playing "a bouzouki".

In a way, since the instrumenmt was exported to Ireland and to its neighbours, it's evolved back into something much closer to a version of the cittern, though with only four courses of strings. It really bears relatively little relation to the original Greek instrument, either in structure, tuning or technique of playing. Only it's kept the name, perhaps because it sounds like bazooka, with all those tough associations - even if it may cause a few problems at immigration security these days. (Maybe best describe it as "a kind of guitar" to avoid misunderstandings.)
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"The subject matter of the songs is Ireland or the Irish way of life" said Doug. Sometimes that's true enough, but often the subject matter isn't particularly Irish, and the songs are about aspects of life which are shared between Ireland and other places, and that's one reason they work so well.

Someone said "Why not a thread about English songs that aren't English?" I can't think of that many, but I'm sure there are some. There are plenty of American songs that have their origin elsewhere, but that's generally understood, and I don't think many American would take it as offensive to pick over the origins. I don't think things like "Song Links" are seen as too problematic.

But there are some songs which I think many people would assume were American to start with which aren't - "The Lily of the West" is one such. There might be a thread in that some time. Better started by an American though...