Good to see the Clancys and Tommy Makem being praised on this Thread, at times the mere mention of their name brought out the boot boys.
The Clancys introduced lots of people to folk music, I was brought up with folk music long before the Clancys and Tommy arrived on the scene, and I can vouch for what most contributors to this Thread have stated, they help to pave the way for the return of old songs which would have likely been lost forever.
I am sorry to learn of Tommy Makems illness, as a fellow county Armagh man I wish him a speedy recovery.