The ould inferiority complex strikes again, friend Boxman. Don't be so defensive about it, just play the bloody music, it's good music.

Of course Irish musicians play English muisc, and sing English songs. It's just that it starts sounding Irish in the process. For God's sake, the Wild Rover is a Norfolk version of a song that noone ever sang in Ireland until the Dubliners. Living traditions borrow and steal - and transform what they borrow and steal.

Music moves around. Half the best Morris tunes come from Scotland or Ireland or elsewhere to begin with. They end up sounding extremely English. As is only right and proper.

Mind if you think John Kirkpatrick is the only world class player playing English music, I don't know where you've been hiding. I'd probably sooner listen to him than any other, but he's hardly alone.