Karaoke in Ireland - The Death of the Pub

As far as the British Isles are concerned, I've only experienced karaoke in Scotland, and let me tell you, until you've heard Sweet Caroline sung with a Scottish accent, you truly haven't suffered. The only experience that came close was my friend Murph's drunken rendition of the same song at Sully's in Charleston.

Now come to find out that the traditional pub in Ireland is slowly disappearing. With the draconian smoking laws and other nanny state policies, the pub experience is dying. I really hope that this isn't the case. There is nothing like spending time in pub in Ireland. Most of the happenings don't translate well when written; they need to be experienced, preferably with people who can drink consistently for consecutive days without complaining about hangovers and lack of sleep.

Is stout really an "old man's drink?"

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03082009/postopinion/postopbooks/a_pint_of_plain_158543.htm