The decorations in Irish music are there to embellish the melody

Not at all- they can be used to highlight the rhythm just as much, especially scratches, crans and triplets.

I had that Stephen Baldwin record (before someone "looked after" my vinyl collection)- interesting, but I wouldn't use an old man, isolated as a traditional fiddler, and well into his declining years, as a guide to style. In fact, if anyone took up playing like that, I'd take up fusion bhangra-bebop reggae tuba.