When I visited Ireland, one of my tour guides was very knowledgeable about Irish folk music (and sang traditional folk songs for us as well). The songs weren't written down, they were passed on from generation to generation. While walking the streets of Ireland, regardless of which county/city I was in, regardless of the size of the village, when passing a Pub you can hear Irish people singing folk songs.
When I visited Ireland, one of my tour guides was very knowledgeable about Irish folk music (and sang traditional folk songs for us as well). The songs weren't written down, they were passed on from generation to generation. While walking the streets of Ireland, regardless of which county/city I was in, regardless of the size of the village, when passing a Pub you can hear Irish people singing folk songs.
Some of my favorite surviving folk songs are Irish. I wish I could hear them sung in their native land!
Great stuff, Robert. Oh how I love music.