The 70s was a prosperous period in Irish traditional music. It was a decade where The Chieftains, Planxty, and Bothy Band came to the fore. Clannad was in their first period. I say the first period because they evolved into another style in the 80s and further grew it. But acoustically speaking, the 70s were great for those looking for traditional Irish music.
One of the names worth thinking about is the amazing Matt Molloy. He joined the Bothy Band before joining the Chieftains in 1979. His self-titled debut in 1976 is a treasure trove of beautiful tunes. If you think of Irish wooden flutes, Molloy is the name at the forefront. He is considered a trailblazer in the instrument of his choice, paving the way for other artists to come.
The refined energy of his musicianship is evident in tracks like Boys of The Lough and Toss the Feathers, among others. His gracefulness is showcased in tracks where he plays solos, like The Gold Ring(jig)and The Dunmore Lassies. If you are looking for albums and references, you better have Matt Molloy to give you an idea of what an excellent standard sounds like.