Great thread idea. Don't know that i've yet found my favorite pub, but i keep searching diligently. Two great pubs in ireland are "o'shea's merchant" in dublin and "furey's sheelagh na gig" in sligo town. Both are rather ordinary in terms of decor and physical facilities, but extra-ordinary in terms of music.

the "merchant" fills up each night about half eight with dubs and the occasional tourist looking for great craic. they have live music every night, usually folk with a goodly dose of trad, and set dancing 2 or 3 nites. it's located on the south side of the liffey, right across the street from the "brazen head". i don't remember the street name, but it crosses the river to become capel street (i think).

the "sheelagh na gig" is on bridge street at the river in sligo town. presently owned/operated by three of the lads in "Dervish". they have a dynamite trad seisiun 5 nites a week. no music on wed or sat, but the place fills up anyway. it's a comparatively small place and the seisiun gets shoe-horned into the snug by the door. not a seisiun for beginners, but there seems to be a steady stream of talented local folks droppin' in for a pint and a few tunes.

can hardly wait to go again.