TOPIC:

I think that the growth in Irish microbrewed PAs & IPAs has been helped by this type of beer being largely ignored by the macros, hence the introduction of beers like Smithwicks PA. Obviously the quality of these beers contributes to their popularity also.

Has micro stout and lager made similar inroads against the macros, particularly on the same bar counter? Or is the average Irish beer drinker still clinging to the known brands?

I'd definitely say stout and lager are a harder sell, mainly due to the way those styles have been marketed by the macros and the subsequent customer loyalty they command. Red ale is a style where the micros can claim a cachet that the (admittedly few remaining) macros probably can't match.