I'd just like to share a recent experience at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. (USA) while on a trip for my daughters birthday. This particular Busch (as in the beer people) Gardens has the theme of "The Old Country". To this, they have sectioned off parts of the park as "Germany", "France", "Italy", "Scotland", "New France" (Canada), and "England". This year, they opened a new "Country"..."Ireland". Everyone does bad Irish accents, and they sell lots of Michael Flatley tapes in the gift shops. But the thing that stood out most in my mind was the choice of music for their street folk band.

"When Irish Eyes Are Smiling"???

With all the wonderful Irish folk music that has been in the focus here in the States for several years now...

I know...it's a theme park, and that is what the masses really do expect of the Irish (the same way they expect Sinatra tunes and are not disappointed down in the Italian section).

What do you folk think on that...might they step out on a limb and educate folks a little about the real music from these wonderful countries?