I had a job for a few weeks playing in the Dublin Castle in Camden Town, London. Just before you get to C#house, in the early 70's. It was then an Irish pub. It was good. The trio was accordian, Drums and me singing, playing a twelve string. Sang mostly the stock Irish stuff of the time. You know what I mean. I learnt them all from the Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem. (As we all did then) Lasted four weeks. As the landlord was after a bango player. I could understand his meaning. No hard feelings. I made about a fiver every Friday night.It was good craic. The punters sang along, great stuff.
I enjoyed it. Learnt my trade,so to speak.
Dublin Castle now is an enlarged Rock place. Wouldn't go there now. Water under the bridge.

Found out there was more to folk music than Mush Ring Dums!
Authentic stuff. Not that some Mushy Ring Dums aren't authentic. They are. I don't want to open up another can of worms here. your all far too knowledgable.

I've heard some very good unnaccompanied singers of all Nationalities. Heard some bad ones to. Who hasn't?
Some Norwegian stave singing takes some beating.

It's the Authenticity that I'm after. Not a tourist attracton. It has to be, "there 'cos it's there".

Chas