I always feel its that confluence of c and w and folk that makes Irish music that much stronger and more people based. You do get a fair bit of country songs in folk clubs. And after all Doc Watson sings I recall a a gypsy woman.

Also, I recall and Irish lady country singer singing that Peggy Seeger song about the mother singing to her child, about the Dad who's away from home digging up motorways in England. And given the number of Irish people who worked on the motorway - the song actually had more resonance being sung by an Irish lady, than when Peggy sung it.

I accept that all these demarcations do matter to you, but I don't know why. I've always loved folk music, but I never made a living from singing it - I had to play music people liked and they could connect with easily.

At the end of my career, I do wonder now. Why were your people folk; and the people I was singing to, just people?