Dominic Behan wrote Crooked Jack, using the tune of the Star Of The County Down. Can't help much about the rest, could suggest a cheap way to go, trying a small drum (tamborine size). Played in a session in San Francisco bout 17 yrs back & a guy brings in a bunch of small sized drums (drums weren't his main thing) from different cultures & they all went great with the Irish Music, didn't realize it to be Johnny Moyinahan (sp?) until he started up with a song. You might also have the makings of a good garden mix going, minus the maggots. The guy that made my drums, Mance Grady, used to anyway, buy his skins ready for the drum head, from a large slaughtehouse, I'm sure some of the drum makers on the Bodhran Page or on the newsgroup( rec.music makers percussion hand-drum ), would be more helpful. Good luck, Barry