I know it hadn't really gone away but I heard it used only very occasionally. Occasionally enough to notice the 'best folksong' thing and several other pronounced returns to the public eye (well, RTE).

Interesting to note too that the RTE radio spots sell it as 'what song do you sing along with at parties?' I get a certain image with that and wonder if that is their criterium for finding the best 'folksong', why do they even bother.