I used to own an Irish pub, in Germany, so have first-hand knowledge of both sides of the counter. I never worked so hard in my life as I did there (we had live music twice a week and a "disco"-type affair on Sunday nights which I ran as well), but the craic was great too.

I wouldn't be too hard on the Irish Pub Company--they only provide the cosmetics. It's then up to the owner/manager/staff and customers to make it into a good pub.

On the subject of music in the pubs in Ireland, there are some pubs that traditionally have never had music (for example, the well-known and excellent Mulligans in Poolbeg Street in Dublin, but I could name others) and will not have music on any account. Mulligans used to have (and might still have!) a large sign on the wall: No Singing Allowed.

Some great comments above--keep them coming!