Just out of interest, how many of those who have posted to this thread about 'their' Irish songs are actually Irish? (and no, I don't mean 'yes I'm Irish - well, fourth generation Irish-American - well actually, my grandmother's aunt's dog was Irish' - I mean actually Irish, say for passports).

Has it not occurred to anyone that the Irish might be a little pissed off that what is intended to be a celebration of Ireland has been taken over by the rest of the English-speaking world as an excuse to get drunk and sing cod-Irish songs that have nothing to do with you ("Caledonia (actually a Scottish song I believe.)" indeed!)

Cara xx

PS - And yes, my family is Irish about 3 generations back on all sides, but I don't consider myself to be Irish, nor to have any 'rights' to Irish heritage. It's very good and I like it a lot, but it has nothing to do with me personally.