Derek,
Brill photos. I envy such nice establishments being within walking distance.
I visited Ireland in 2000. Every pub I customed had great meals, character, and a wonderful Landlord or Landlady with interesting conversation. I lived in Scotland as a teen for a year (exchange student), and enjoyed the weekly outing to afternoon tea at the local as a family at one of the long tables with our neighbours. The atmosphere of the pub in the U.K. and Ireland is unique and imposable to truly duplicate here. The pace of life and the regulations of government enforce the differences greatly.
It is hard for most Americans to realize that the pub is about craic and good food, more than the alcoholic beverages. The fine meals served by the skilled proprietor in a U.K. pub are a delight to slowly enjoy, and a quite unlike the "pub grub" that is usual to this side of the pond.
Slainte