A warning - some of the more complex (flashy) players can have the effect of putting a new player off
Wouldn't bother with any of the groups - the instruments tend to merge and if accompaniment is added, particularly percussive, become musak.   
Personally, I would go for a good, solid, old time source fiddler - Junior Crehan of Clare's double C.D. 'Last House in Ballymackea' springs to mind - good, solid playing at a reasonable pace with lots of unique, interesting tunes
His nephew, Kevin Crehan, produced a lovely selection from Junior's repertoire; An Bhábóg sa Bhadog
Magic stuff.
Good luck
Jim Carroll