i would dispute that the song tradition is any stronger,it is in my opinion about equal.
in fact in england there are more places for singers to perform in a concert or club like situation.
imo this is the better setting for a wider repetroire the songs are better can be performed.
pubs in ireland are better than pubs in england, people do listen more, but it can become wallpaper music,and just the popular end[wild river, kilgarry mountains, irish rover, nothing wrong with that
but this is why singers clubs are often like folk clubs in seperate rooms so that a wider repertoire can be sung, unfortunately these singers clubs are far fewer than english folk clubs.