As someone who is a very sociable animal and would have described myself as a pub-aholic back in the day - regularly going into pubs just to drink a mineral or even a bottled water - I fully concur on the fact that while it was often dismissed as being the source of alcoholism the pub scene in Ireland could be brilliant. People drinking at home instead doesn't mean less alcoholism.
In many cases rurally, the trip to the pub after a hard days work was the chance to interact with others of similar situations.
As someone else has said, when you've a shared interest it's much easier to talk, make acquaintances, and that can develop into friendship or even more.
I left school decades ago and I still knock around with guys from my class. But I also have other pals that I first met in pubs that I'm friendly with for over 40 years. Or guys where I've worked for many a year. Indeed there's even a couple of pals I made from the last place I worked who I know would do me a favour if they could and who despite not being in contact for many months would just take up the conversation again as if we'd chatted only yesterday.
But if you're looking for new easy to join, common interest local things that can spread the circle of your acquaintances can I recommend Bridge (most clubs are crying out for new members), or a hill-walking club. I've found both brilliant over the last couple of years. And married, single, gregarious, or loner, it doesn't much matter in either.
Good luck with it.
