I think Geoff's point, delivered so bluntly, was not that there are no sessions going on, but that people who do not play Irish trad. music (up to speed) are not welcome to play at them. I've never been to Ireland, but from what I've seen on this side of the Atlantic, if you show up at an Irish session hoping to play some other type of music (and I'm not saying that's what you're doing), your're likely to get the sort of reception you got from Geoff here.

Enjoy your trip, anyway! I'm envious.