The Westport (Ireland) Horse Fair dates back to 1741 and takes place on the last Saturday of September each year. This year (2018) Ollie and I happened to be in in Westport and stumbled across this wonderful event.
The older musicians and singers we have recorded for The National Library over many decades did not differentiate between an old song/tune and one that was contemporary. The criteria was enjoyment, if they liked it they would perform it.
When we were involved in the collection of old dances with the late Peter Ellis we found that this sometimes was also true although there was some resistance in transition between Old Time and New Vogue on occasion. This video shows that the mob in Westport are fairly adaptable, even in pouring rain.
Rob Willis