Big Mick, you have a serious comprehension problem. I do not 'kick' the Irish. I grew up with Irish sessions, there being little else around. I later reported from the Six Counties on matters both political and musical and played with American Old Timey musicians. I am not now involved in either Irish or American music but with, predominantly, English and European. It matters far less to me that people from your continent, however you stereotype yourselves, know little or nothing of English music and traditional arts which are my passion than the ignorance of my own compatriots. I note that you describe yourself as a 'plastic paddy'. You would find yourself in good company next March 17 here when vast numbers (regardless of origin) wear silly hats, drink green beer and continue apace to deny that an indigenous culture of their own even exists. It is scarcely helpful to suggest that all will be well if only we'd all go and gawp at some manufactured, commercial spectacle of 'entertainment' with no relevance whatsoever to our own cultural roots and little to anyone else's. And if (heaven forbid) anyone had the appalling notion of concocting a 'Merrie England'-type extravananza misrepresenting and diluting English traditional dance (as I dread to think just might be in someone's mind with the Olympics looming), I would be equally dismissive.