""the regulars" are simply not there?"
That, and the fact that Dublin is flooded with strangers this time of year - the horrendous cost of accommodation and lack of venues doesn't help
We had a couple of pleasant evenings in a local bar the 'Peder Kearney' near Christchurch some years ago
A small group of locals used to get in on Mondays and sing for each other - visitors like us were invited to try their hand
Unfortunately the management realised the business potential and got an over-loud band in, then redesigned the bar, losing a great deal of it's 'local' atmosphere.
They were the days, my friend
Jim