Yes there are plenty of traddies here- nothing to do with Aran pullovers?- where did that come from? No regrets about the demise of the 'ballad session'!!

There are plenty of places in Ireland where the music thrives, Jim, but in MOST pubs nationwide, it is generally unwelcome and a distraction from the multiple TV sets which are the norm these days.


Part of the problem may be the (sometimes skilled) musicians who insist on sitting in a circle & making no attempt at communication - surely the essence of the peoples' music?