I know quite a few Irish songs and would never intentionally offend anyone, However if I went into a "Orange" club I would expect to hear certain songs and if I went into a "Nationalist" club I would expect to hear certain songs as well. I am not going to be offended when I know in advance what to expect.

The difference is whether the song offends your moral values, your nationality, your religion or your sexual orientation etc. I am a catholic nationalist but there are certain rebel songs I would not sing because I know by the lyrics that they cross the line of acceptance. I do sing many songs that are pro-irish rather than anti-english. I find that the majority of "orange" songs for example are not anti-irish as much as they are anti-catholic and are very offensive.

I once sang " Over the Sea to Skye" at a Scottish function and was warned not to sing it again because it was a Catholic Jacobite song. This was in Toronto in 1988. It's a judgement call, and really there are lots of great songs around that there is no need to offend anyone. If in doubt don't include it in your set.