Just after the ban was implemented here a pub in Galway (Fibber McGhee's), found it was having problems with falling custom. This was nothing to do with not being able to smoke, but the council had embarked on major road works outside (in Eyre Square) and it was impossible to approach the pub without having to use a long length of unpaved footpath.
The governor decided to defy the ban on the grounds that it was unconstitutional - the result - still nobody came.
It is still possible to drive though towns here after closing time and see illegal drinkers huddled outside pubs having a legal smoke.
Jim Carroll