Surprised to hear about the late-starting pub sessions; is there no legally-enforced closing time in Ireland?

Visitors to New Orleans (from elsewhere in the US, at least), are always surprised that bars here can operate 24hours/7days. Live music at most of the popular venues doesn't usually start until 10 or 11, which strikes most out-of-towners as not only strange, but inconvenient. Few working people enjoy long enough vacations to readjust their internals clocks so they can enjoy staying up til dawn. Only the youngest are able to adopt the slogan "I'll sleep when I'm dead!"

I'll be there myself in mid-August, for my first visit. Will be seeing relatives in Mayo, then will tour the West until it's time to depart from Shannon. My brother, who lives in England and knows his way around Ireland, will act as guide. I'm pretty sure we'll visit Westport, Galway City and environs, and Doolin. I'm not sure if time will permit us to venture much further south (e.g., Kerry) before it's time to leave and return to work.

Tom Henehan