I was lucky to grow up in a traditional household, my mother being from an Irish speaking area. I picked up the tradition from her, but it was a long time before I felt it a "cool" thing to do. I grew up with people not from the same background as me, so it's really only something I'm focusing in on now. But I always gathered the airs, music, the characters and the words along the way. Now, it's combination of technology (youtube, itunes), trad sessions and songs that have a bit of meaning for me (historical songs of interest because of something outside of the singing part of my life, songs written by my mother's father, songs from where my spiritual home is) and lots more besides!

if this is leadaránach I apologise!