As Peg mentioned Riverdance and the like certainly gave a rebirth to interest in Celtic music here in the US. My husband plays the uilleann pipes here in Southern California. Right after Riverdance made its appearance over here the phone rang constantly requesting lessons and studio recordings.
As a mom it warms my heart whenever I overhear my seven and eleven year olds humming obscure folk tunes that you know none of their comtemporaries have ever heard!