Once I was performing in Faneuil Hall in Boston (touristy spot downtown, buskers must audition to play there) with a harpist. I forget what all we sang but one song was "Come By the Hills" and introducing it I said it was a song that tried to remind people of the beauty of Ireland during the troubles, etc. some such thing.
I noticed a woman in her fifties or sixties standing there who had been there for a while listening with others. After that song she came up to me, introduced herself as Kitty O'Shanahan, and went on to tell me in a delightful brogue that she was visitng her family in America, and she had never heard anyone sing so beautifully and had never heard anyone say such beautiful things about Ireland. She went on to say "I'm extendin' ya a personal invitation to come and stay with me any time ya like, it's County Clare (I think that's what she said), Kitty o'Shanahan, just ask for me, everyone knows me, ya can stay as long as ya like!"
I just thought that was a lovely response...
peg