Interesting to watch the (non) development of this discussion.
Ireland has achieved the success it has not by trying to please all of the people all of the time, but by focusing on what it believed to be its traditional music and building on that.
The Willie Clancy Summer School was possibly the first big break, running a week of classes, lectures, recitals and concerts with a week of sessions - just enjoyed its 40th year.
Shortly after its establishment the Irish Traditional Music Archive was set up - now making its holdings freely available.
Traditional music has the full and unconditional support of the Irish Arts Establishment and is respected as an important aspect of Irish culture - the ITMA was opened by President of Ireland Mary Robinson, and the move to new premises introduced by the Irish Arts Minister.
As Peter Laban and others pointed out, the thousands of youngsters now playing Irish music to a superb standard do not feel restricted in any way from playing and enjoying other music, just treating Irish traditional music for what it is, Irish traditional music as distinct from.... whatever (not a claim anywhere that hip-hop must be "traditional" because the tunes have been played twice in different versions).
Doesn't mean the music won't change - it will die if it doesn't, but it will be around for at least another couple of generations.
A far cry from a folk music revival which appears to be unable to find it's folk arse with both hands!
Jim Carroll