It is difficult to compare Irish Folk culture to English.Irish Traditional music and Dance has continued in Ireland.The music is played on Radio Stations as part of the daily music scene.Irish Traditional Dance is encouraged by parents for their children.Local Irish dances are supported by the whole family.If you compare that with England we have virtualy no traditional music played except on the radio for a once a week Folk programme.If a Barn Dance is held the locals turn up with full cowboy kit on,they have no idea what English Tradional dance is about.When people hear it, most like it.They love the dances.Even youngsters will leave a disco and join in the folk dances if two events are being run in parallel.We have a lot to offer.Sadly even our pub sing arounds, which packed pubs after the war were killed off by the introduction of Juke Boxes.We had our Folk revival ,it is about time for another.
Al