Fair. 
For good measure, here is a recent picture of me and my session mates. (That week, the power was out at the pub, so we went to a session member’s house since his daughter was coming home from school and was expecting to get to play fiddle in a session. That is to say, power or not, we were going to have a session.)
For those who are observant, there are 4 bodhran players in the picture. (One was a complete novice trying the bodhran for the first time, but it is actually kinda normal that we have 3-4 bodhrans in a session.) I remember reading a thread on TheSession.org about some differences between sessions in the USA and Ireland. According to the thread, in Ireland, it is more likely you’ll have one bodhran player playing and others sitting out but, in America, everyone wants to bring their instrument and everyone wants to play all the time. That is kinda what happens with us too. Some weeks we will have 1 flute, 1 accordion, 1 fiddle, and 3 bodhrans. It gets a little crazy sometimes, but it is a good time and we manage to make it work. 
I’ve known quite a few sessions in Ireland where, if there is already a bodhran player, someone else coming in with a bodhran will simply be turned away. I’ve also played in some where neither bodhran nor guitar would be welcome. Not elitist, by the way - just somebody’s session that doesn’t have guitars or bodhrans.
The kind of session that interests me is 3 or 4 people maybe 5 or 6 even but no more, a balance of instruments, no audience , no drink, under the shade of a tree.
Generally I play alone because i play every day and ive been hard at it for 40+years.
The kind of session going on in town today with a gazillion people masses of instruments , noise, chaos… ok if im paid for it but otherwise…
That’s a generality that doesn’t play around this area. The sessions here may be flexible to some extent, but, there are the whole gamut of types of sessions from closed invitation only to open everyone welcome, however, when multiple bodhráns, guitars, or banjos appear someone is sitting out as a courtesy, or switch to another instrument but too many accompanying instruments just muddles the music which is detrimental to early learners in developing an ear and may be annoying to experienced players. We have some big sessions at times. I’m still fairly new playing whistle and happy to sit out at times just to listen.
The kind of session going on in town today with a gazillion people masses of instruments
But you can make your own space and organise people. I was in the back of Hillery’s for several hours this afternoon, three sets of flat pipes, a whistle. Just fine. More than that even.
Says the man who’s in Milltown at the height of Willie Week… 
Aw c’mon, the man is dying of thirst in the middle of an ocean for want of a glass of fresh water
Bob
Says the man who’s in Milltown at the height of Willie Week… >
All I was saying, in response to Will, is that at the height of the Willie week, in the middle of that ocean you can create your own little islands, space and gather up a few people: Emmett Gill and Claire Keville playing in C all afternoon in the back of the cafe, Eanna Drury, Brian McNamara, Colm Broderick, and myself playing in C in the back of Hillery’s most of the afternoon. Or all of the night Noel Hill, Oisin McDiarmada and Eamonn O’Riordan right in the front of Clacy’s (so you could stand out side and look through the window and hear them well too). And no doubt many similar things going on in other places, if you care to look beyond the crowds.
And next week the crowds will be gone, I’ll be still here, until the next one (if we live to see it).
Silly of me, perhaps, to pick up on just one name. But Emmett Gill is a totally brilliant musician. Fantastically inclusive, interested in everything and everybody, huge generosity of spirit, and an absolute joy to play with. (Having said which, I’ve only played in sessions with him on three occasions.)
Totally agree. I was at the NPU Tionól a couple of years ago with only my B set and wanted to take one of the classes. Emmett overheard me, and just hands over his K&Q concert-pitch chanter for the day so that I could participate! He had never seen or met me until that instant. I was blown away by his generosity.
But if I had to pick up on another name from Mr. Gumby’s list, I would have to say that Brian McNamara is about the most genuinely nice person I have ever met - brilliant piper, but humble, inclusive (willing to play with anyone even rank beginners), and a great teacher. More interested in people than in showboating or promoting himself. I once asked him about his all-Ireland title, and he just said “no one important entered that year”. 
quote: I once asked him about his all-Ireland title, and he just said “no one important entered that year”.
Oh, yes, at least one very important person Emmett has been immensely helpful and kind to me!
Bob
Missed that he was also in Milltown. Definitely agree with you there, it’s like a zoo, but there are plenty of places to hole up with a few good musicians away from the noise.