Róisín Dubh in Galway was the setting for the announcement of funding for the night-time economy which will support independent venues across the country.
The popular venue has, for decades, given a platform to new and emerging artists to perform live and build their audiences.
Galway's student population has traditionally enjoyed a vibrant night-life in the city, but that has changed signficantly in recent years, according to one of the owners of Róisín Dubh, Gugaí MacNamara.
"What we have seen over the last few years is a big change in that, because obviously there's a huge issue with student accommodation and lots more students are living at home or commuting to college in Galway. Everything is more expensive so it's harder for them to get out, harder for them to get taxis home," he said.
"Ten years ago, you'd see students coming out 3 or 4 nights a week, now it's one. It's been a huge change," Mr MacNamara said.
He welcomed the announcement of €1 million in funding as part of the fourth phase of the Night-Time Economy Support Scheme.
The scheme is being introduced in recognition of both the contribution that grassroots music venues make to the music industry by nurturing emerging acts, and the challenges facing the venues.
Minister for Culture Patrick O'Donovan said the support for commercial venues was needed because "they have been ploughing a lonely furrow on their own and kept the sector alive".
"I think there was too much focus, particularly from the Arts Council and others, on the non-commercial sector. We're going to have to address that too," he said.
This phase of the scheme is also focused on supporting comedy.
"It was something that was never supported by the Arts Council," the minister said.
"I think that was wrong to be quite honest about it, because it's one thing that differentiates us from the rest of the English-speaking world, Ireland's ability to laugh at itself. Why wouldn't we celebrate it?" he added.
The minister acknowledged that while the €1m funding is "not a massive sum", it would help operators of small venues, particularly in the regions.
He said the scheme was oversubscribed last year and would probably be oversubscribed again this year. "That’s a good thing," Minister O'Donovan said.
"It's a sign to my colleagues in Government that the public is responding positively to this, that venues are responding positively to this and that inward tourism is responding positively as well," he added.
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