IT ONLY holds 150 people when packed to capacity, but Galway's Roisin Dubh is rightly regarded by musicians and gig-goers as one of the best little venues in the country. Celebrating five years in operation this year, the Dominick St. premises continue to host the finest music from home and abroad, with an impressive array of talent lined up during the Galway Arts Festival.

"No-one can quite put their finger on what makes the place so special," says its proprietor, and self-confessed music addict, John Mannion. "Some say it's the atmosphere, the shape of the room and the sound system. Others say it's the audience who make it so good. They are certainly always appreciative of good music and have no inhibitions about letting their feelings be known. From a punter's point of view it's ideal - everyone is close to the stage so there's a strong feeling of intimacy."

The venue also boasts a 24-track digital recording facility which is regularly used by visiting performers. When Mary Coughlan decided it was time to do a live album, she picked the Roisin Dubh for the recording, preferring to play seven consecutive nights there rather than in the much larger venues she is used to.

Another big fan of the Roisin Dubh is Scottish singer-songwriter John Martyn who has turned in some unforgettable performances there in recent years. In fact, the last time he played Galway, he arrived at the pub in the afternoon only to discover that he'd been booked into an entirely different venue. As Mannion recalls: "He nearly tore the phone off the wall complaining to the promoter. He'd previously done three nights in a row here, rather than play in a bigger venue for one night, and he was livid when he heard that he wasn't playing here that night."

Other recent memorable gigs at the Roisin Dubh include shows by Nils Lofgren who, according to Mannion, "took the place by storm" a few months back, and by former Mott the Hoople frontman Ian Hunter, who particularly impressed Mannion (a committed fan of '70s rock). "When I heard him doing 'All The Young Dudes' for the encore I just couldn't believe it. I went soft in the legs!

"The Holmes Brothers were the same," he adds. "I remember standing at the door after the show asking people did they enjoy it and most of them were speechless - they were floating on air. Donovan played here with Arlo Guthrie and that was a great night too. There are so many good ones I can't remember them all."

Many famous names also call in to the Roisin Dubh for a pint and to check the place out as Mannion reveals. "We had a tribute night to Woody Guthrie last week with Andy Irvine and Mick Hanly and some other people. John Prine dropped in to have a look, though he didn't perform. Steve Earle has been in a few times having a pint, and Mike Scott has also been in - though he never played here which is a shame."

Mannion took over the pub five years ago when his lease ran out on a pub across the road. He was looking for a fresh challenge and opted for the Roisin Dubh - a pub he admits he'd never set foot in before. "It was called the Canal Bar back then," he recalls, "It was a fairly roughish place. We were on a shoestring budget, but we did it up as best we could and started booking bands."

The first ever paying gig at the Roisin Dubh featured British folk legend Bert Jansch. As Mannion remembers, it was a night fraught with apprehension. "We were complete greenhorns. We didn't know what to expect, so we charged just £2.50 a ticket and it completely sold out."

The booking policy at the Roisin has remained adventurous, concentrating on musical quality rather than commercial pulling power.

"We're not really into it for the money," Mannion insists. "We lose money on a lot of the gigs we do. If I were in it for the money I'd have a much bigger place. We go for the quality stuff. We don't take any oul' shit, though I have to admit that we had Brendan Keeley in a couple of weeks ago, under pressure from a promoter. I wouldn't have him again in a fit. He drew a crowd, alright, but never again!"

Mannion is putting together long-term plans to release a CD featuring artists recorded live at The Roisin Dubh, and there might even be a TV show as he explains: "I was talking to Philip King about doing some filming and he was very interested in doing something at some stage." n