Nothing to stop you enjoying your music in the west of Ireland - in fact it is often a good way to know the natives. As posters have said, you won't earn a living from it but if you're good, you might get a free pint or ten.
I am not quite sure anyone can say that the old Ireland is dead and gone, but it is certainly much harder to find. However, the thrill is in the chase, as they often say about love and other things!
