"Co Clare, Jim Carroll, knows more than I do".
Not really Cap'n; just round Miltown, which is bristling with sessions virtually 5 nights a week - Friel's being the most reliable for great music. Ennis is good too. A few surprising black holes - Kilkee should, but doesn't - thanks to holiday homes you are more likely to find tumbleweed blowing round the streets in winter.
Don't know where the idea of the smoking ban doing damage came from -certanly no around here. It's wonderful to be able to breathe in the pubs for the first time in my lifetime - most of the smokers are happy with it.
What is doing damage is the breathyliser clampdown which is having an effect. There is talk today of financial assistance for minibus lifts after the pubs close (the downside of this is that they will have to close on time - ah well, you can't have it all ways.
Jim Carroll