I'm another whose first introduction to Irish music was from Tommy Makem and the Clancy brothers, in the 1960s. Many years later (1995-ish?) I met Tommy face to face in Easton, MA at a very low-key Irish event (not the Irish fest) and told him I'd been influenced by him and was now singing folk music myself. He thrilled me to pieces by asking my name and said, "Maybe I've heard of you." ...he hadn't, but it thrilled me just the same. Even more was the deep satisfaction of meeting one of my true heros, and finding him a downright decent, kind human being.

Go well, Tommy.