There are some Irish tunes that clawhammer is ok but not generally. irish tunes that work OK with CH are what is called "cross-over"tunes" that are played in old time jams. Irish jams are pretty much chamber music meaning everyone is playing the same note at the same time. CH would be "jarring" for many tunes, at least in the minds of many/most irish jammers. Then there is the topic of medleys where tunes jump from one key to another. My two cents – get a tenor banjo as contrasted to jumping through logistical hoops adapting CH to Irish. banjered

Tom's right. Having played clawhammer in a low-end Irish jam for a number of years, my advice is to learn tenor banjo if you really want to participate. You’ll see why at your first jam. Typically tunes are in medleys of three, with key changes on the fly. If you’re used to capoing for key changes, you’re out of luck. You have my best wishes, but be prepared for frustration.

Another factor is that the long scale of a regular clawhammer banjo makes it very challenging to keep up the usual fast clip of an Irish jam session. Some people may be able but I am not one of them. I got pretty close with a tenor playing Irish tunes but did not care for amping myself up to that speed so I switched over to old time with its more variable beats per minute and generally more tolerance of "versions." YMMV. banjered

I agree with the above. 

A big issue is pulse. Even if you manage to clawhammer your way through a jig, it just won't have the same feel as DOWN-up-down-DOWN-up-down flatpicking. You have to consider the function of the tenor banjo in an ensemble context. It has a distinctly nasal/percussive quality that enriches the sound of fiddle, mandolin, whistle/flute, and so on. 

Tenor is a bit tricky initially if you aren't used to fifths tuning, but it's so satisfying once your RH gets into the groove. Used tenors can be gotten for relatively cheap. 

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Originally posted by msv133

I'm going to an Irish jam session sometime in September, and I have sheet music with the basic melodies printed off, which I've been practicing.

As an aspiring traditional banjo player, what can I be doing other than just playing the exact notes on the sheet? Are there times that it would be appropriate to strum multiple strings at a time? Could I turn some of these notes into hammer-ons and/or pull offs?

How strictly must I stick to playing what's exactly on the sheet music?

I've attached an example of one of the pieces that I've been practicing.

Thanks!!

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If you aspire to play in 'traditional' sessions  - please - at least hang out and familiarise yourself with the 'tradition' first. Without your banjo.

Those visits should provide answers to all your questions. Make a note of the tunes/sets that are played. If you pick your moment you can always ask their names. Get a few under your fingers, practice them and then go back with your banjo. The music you hear at the session will sound different from the basic melody that you have. The tunes are still essentially simple but ornamentation is a characteristic (if not defining) style feature of ITM playing. That is not a fixed technique; it is fluid and instinctive. A musician absorbs and acquires that characteristic sound by contact. Clawhammer can work, but is really a square 'peg' trying to bash itself into a triplet-shaped 'hole'. One is inclined to wonder to oneself why an aspirant 'traditional' musician wouldn't simply go with what the locals do. After all they know and are the continuation of that 'tradition'. Respect and tradition go hand-in hand. So does not making a rod for one's own back.

You’ll also be exposed to a very different sound texture and dynamic from American OT and Bluegrass. Flute and whistle, and tenor banjo played with a plectrum combine with the fiddle to create a distinct and beautiful sound ‘blend’.