I thought we accepted that Irish music was international? What's the ratio by which Irish emigrants outnumber the population of the island??

Also I've heard it said that, when the interest in Irish music first 'revivied' (in the '50s) the US Irish musicians were an important source; also that the current "general" image of Irish music owes more to the London Irish community than to anything native to the island.

Certainaly neither of those assertions is the whole truth, but I don't believe either of them is without truth, either.

However at the end of the day Wolfgang is right "it hardly matters" . .

A great person and an innovative musician.

G.