I went to Syria/Lebanon earlier this year. The official position is that you can get a visa at point f entry into Syria if (and only if) your country of residence as no Syrian embassy. As this is the case with Ireland, officially you should get it. I got a visa prior thru the embassy in UK and there was nearly an hour delay at Damascus, so you probably should go early in the day and if you are prepared to be patient Syria is more than worth whatever trouble it costs - just go there. I took three weeks there and will never forget it. There are (relatively) few tourists, so an attractive destination, and a huge welcome nearly everywhere - but beware your shoes may be stolen in the mosque, hold onto them unlike me! The only hassle I found was at the exit point at the Lebanon border which was a huge delay what with all the paperwork and departure formalities, tax etc.
kb