There can be no doubt that a well played Irish drum is an asset to a huge range of acoustic music. There can also be no doubt that there is a body of skilled exponents.

Unfortunately, many who cannot play a musical instrument decide that a drum is the easiest to start with (this affects not only bodhrans but also djembes and bongos) and so, the self-selected group of those unable to play a musical instrument start on a noisy one. Bad mixture.

I wince every time (and it is often) when I see some twerp (and some have been doing it for years) pick up the tipper at one end as if it were a hammer and whack leadelnly (usually missing the beat). A limited number of those who hold the tipper in the middle, palm facing the bodhran skin can do the "heartbeat" which is the only thing I have ever seen Irish players use that grip for - but most of the users of that grip produce a random flapping noise.

Not of course that I am any good, but I can hear who is worse!