Just a quick question for you Irish BA or those familiar with the situation in Ireland: what are some hotspots for craft in and around Cork or Dublin, provided there are any at all?
All I know is that the blessed Saint Brendan of Dobbin, when he left England, set up Porterhouse in Temple Bar Dublin. Now he was making hop led micro brews well before anyone hear had heard the term Craft beer and back when even the most open minded ale lover would have instantly dismissed any beer purely for being American. I have three varieties of their beer just arrived.
You could also make use of the "Directory" section of this site, which I used to maintain (for Ireland) before being defrocked! http://beeradvocate.com/beerfly/directory/6/IE