I have often heard people confuse the concepts of historicity and tradition. Historically the guitar was not a part of the Irish music tradition. But who cares what happened 100, or 50, or 25 years ago? That would be a question for musicologists. There can be no doubt that the guitar is currently part of Irish traditional music: look around at all the guitarists strumming away at sessions, concerts, and dances.

John Peekstok