Further thoughts:
We started to visit this part of the West of Ireland because of its rich store of songs, music, dancing and storytelling. Among the first things we noticed was the total lack of a genertion gap - young people going to the older generation to learn songs, play music, dance - oldies relying on youngsters for new ears and fresh dancing partners - and sometimes, just for company, a total interaction. This has left us with a continuance of those things that were passed on to us, hence the number of youngsters now playing music.
The British revival was launched on what we were given by the oldies - Harry Cox, Sam Larner, Phil Tanner.... It started out with a total respect for these people and a total recognition of their contribution to our music. That respect gradualy degenerated into lip service and marked a sharp decline in the club scene.
Now, it appears "isn't aimed at them." it has disapeared altogether - if this is to be believed.
One of the problems with all youth culture is the constant demand for renewal - if this wasn't invented by the music industry, it is certainly exploited to the full by them.
It doesn't work like that with folk music.
Sacrifive our music on the 'youth' altar and it will fizzle out the next time something new comes along - you only have to look what happened to Sinéad O'Connor's 'Nua Sean Nós' to see that.
Jim Carroll