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McCarthy's Bar: A Journey of Discovery In Ireland
 
 
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McCarthy's Bar: A Journey of Discovery In Ireland (Paperback)

~ (Author) "A year late, and I'm on the plane to Cork..." (more)
Key Phrases: West Cork, Lough Derg, Croagh Patrick (more...)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)

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  Hardcover, February 27, 2001 -- $58.99 $0.60
  Paperback, March 2, 2003 $10.85 $6.11 $1.17
  Audio, Cassette, Audiobook, November 30, 2002 -- -- $176.80
  Unknown Binding, December 31, 1990 -- -- --
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McCarthy's Bar: A Journey of Discovery In Ireland + The Road to McCarthy: Around the World in Search of Ireland + Round Ireland with a Fridge
Price For All Three: $32.88

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Although Pete McCarthy was raised in England, his mother hails from West Cork, and, despite never having lived there, he can't shake the strange feeling that Ireland is more home than home. A return pilgrimage reveals immediately why he (or anyone, for that matter) feels "involved and engaged" in Ireland. On arriving at the airport in Cork he's greeted by a guy in a giant rubber Celtic cross getup who's telling jokes with a latter-day St. Patrick (the guy who cast all snakes and pagans out of Ireland). Later, when McCarthy happens to mention that his surname matches that of the pub he's in (ever faithful to his Eighth Rule of Travel: "Never Pass a Bar That Has Your Name on It"), the owner buys him a Guinness, invites him to her raucous all-night birthday party, then insists he move to Ireland because, well, obviously he belongs. McCarthy's Second Rule of Travel states: "The More Bright Primary Colours and Ancient Celtic Symbols Outside the Pub, the More Phoney the Interior." While the island is turning into a haven for upmarket tourists--and McCarthy offers outstanding examples of bumbleheaded tourists in action--he still finds plenty of pubs where you can buy a bicycle and which still exist primarily as venues for conversation and Irish music sessions.

While most travel writers seek out opportunities to meet the famous--or the infamous--McCarthy has the charming knack of just bumping into them on his rambles, which is how he met Noel Redding, formerly of Jimi Hendrix's band, and the author Frank McCourt. Far more interesting, though, are the eccentric and talkative bachelors and landladies who turn up in pubs, B&Bs, and the middle of the road. McCarthy has mastered the art of getting creatively lost, wandering the back lanes of Ireland where the hype of tourism has yet to arrive, pursuing stone circles, impossibly romantic ruined abbeys, and, of course, pubs. What he discovers is that "In Ireland, the unexpected happens more than you expect," which makes for a hilarious tour through one of the most beautiful, friendly, and quirky places on earth with a comedian who has honed the art of telling a good story and of having fun. --Lesley Reed --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.



From Publishers Weekly

McCarthy, writer and performer of the BBC series Desperately Seeking Something, is a worthy addition to the ranks of P.J. O'Rourke, Bill Bryson and Peter Mayle. English-born to an Irish mother, McCarthy spent childhood summers with relatives in West Cork. As an adult, he travels around the south and west of Ireland on a quasi-pilgrimage culminating in a visit to Lough Derg, an ancient penitential retreat. Following the mandate "Never Pass a Bar That Has Your Name on It," he narrates a series of hilarious and surprising adventures with an acerbic eye and a comedian's gift for timing. Like all good travelers, he encounters an eclectic assortment of characters, including a pagan Christian priest who's rejected the Church, an Anglo-Irish Marquess, Jimi Hendrix's bass player Noel Redding, and Frank McCourt. Although occasionally indulging in tourist stereotyping--e.g., earnest Germans and loud, lazy Americans--McCarthy mines a rich comic vein, yielding delightful, often sidesplitting stories steeped in the peculiarities of British humor. He strikes some serious notes, too, adeptly capturing the impact of Ireland's recent social changes, from its astounding economic growth to the "bungalow blight" marring the beautiful countryside. He visits places where historic tragedies still loom large; his account of a mass grave for potato famine victims is simple and moving. This wonderful debut will appeal to readers who are looking for a well-observed travel guide, or simply for its incisive hilarity. (Mar. 19)Forecast: A bestseller in Ireland, this book will surely find an American audience if conspicuously displayed, given the Emerald Isle's current status as a hot vacation spot. The attractive cover photo of the author in front of an Irish bar is a plus.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (March 3, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0312311338
  • ISBN-13: 978-0312311339
  • Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #37,673 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category: (What's this?)

    #18 in  Books > Travel > Europe > Ireland

More About the Author

Pete McCarthy
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Customer Reviews

90 Reviews
5 star:
 (60)
4 star:
 (17)
3 star:
 (3)
2 star:
 (3)
1 star:
 (7)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (90 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, June 12, 2001
By Steven Lagoe (West Midlands, UK) - See all my reviews
I was unsure about buying this book, but for the price I thought "what the hell!"

I opened it and read the first sentence on the bus...what a mistake! I roared with laughter, much to the chagrin of my fellow travellers who weren't sharing in my experience. For your information, the first sentence is: "The harp player had just fallen off the stage and cracked his head on the Italian tourist's pint." Another sentence, and this is only from the prologue, I haven't even reached the first chapter yet, is: "At one point, the harp player fell off again, only backwards."

This book is an amazing insight into the Irish way of life, and those who visit Ireland, by one who desperately wants to discover his Irish roots.

Pete McCarthy is an astute and accurate observer.

If you found the sentences I've quoted humorous, this book will have you in stitches.

I'm not one to roar out loud to a book, but this one creased me up time and time again.

For the craic, if nothing else, buy it!

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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars McCarthy's Bar: A Journey of Discovery in the West of Irelan, June 18, 2001
By A Customer
As a native Irishwoman I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. Mr McCarthy definitely understands the Irish at their best and worst. He truly captures the Ireland and Irish of today and not the American version that includes scenes from The Quite Man or chapters from Angela's Ashes. I would recommend that anyone who is of Irish descent or plans to visit Ireland read this book it will give you a good understanding of the Irish people: were an irreverant, funny and unique bunch.
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Gleeful misogyny with an Anglo-Irish accent, December 13, 2004
By bensmomma "bensmomma" (Ann Arbor, Michigan) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)      
Pete McCarthy and his aging Volvo, known as the Tank, spend a picaresque summer pottering around Ireland, flittering from pub to bed-and-breakfast to pub and back to another pub again. McCarthy's mother was Irish (although he himself was raised in England), and this fact has generated in him an Irish lilt to his prose, if not to his actual voice.

McCarthy's tone exactly captures an Irish skill for simultaneous disdain and affection for everyone he runs across. All tourists, including himself, are faintly (or more than faintly) ridiculous. McCarthy gets chased by cows while out looking for prehistoric Irish monoliths. He gets admonished by priests with spitshined brogans while on a barefoot 3-day fasting pilgrimage. He drinks a lot (a LOT), and for some odd reason, he seems to stop at every Chinese restaurant in Ireland.

If you can overlook McCarthy's paradoxically happy good-humored dislike of almost everything (and you should), you'll find the book funny, appealing, even charming. McCarthy would be a very entertaining fellow to run into at the pub. A perfect read in anticipation or in memory of your own vacation to Ireland.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars McCarthy's Bar
This is the fourth copy of Pete McCarthy's book, "McCarthy's Bar" I've purchased! I keep giving them as gifts. It is a gem. I would also recommend, "The Road to McCarthy.... Read more
Published 8 days ago by E. Hagen

5.0 out of 5 stars Sharp, funny and wise...
Oh, it's a great little book packed with more or less respectfull comments on Ireland, the Irish and life itself in all it's strangenes. Read more
Published 2 months ago by lisbeth norskov andersen

2.0 out of 5 stars Irishpaul
Although the author visited many places in Ireland, I found his descriptions of the places boring. After reading this book, I have no desire to visit these small dull towns and... Read more
Published 2 months ago by IrishPaul

5.0 out of 5 stars A great introduction to the culture of Ireland
I have a very good friend who is from Ireland. When I told him that I'd read Angela's Ashes, he told me I had to follow it up with McCarthy's Bar to even out my perspective. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Michael Finn

5.0 out of 5 stars Audio Book
Fantastic Seller. Professional and Prompt! Super Fast Shipping :)
This seller is a safe bet that I would highly recommend to everyone!
Published 4 months ago by Cathleen O'Donnell

5.0 out of 5 stars Warning - No electrical items took part in this journey
As an Englishman that has lived in Ireland for nearly 10 years, I have to say that I was lucky enough to enjoy this on a number of levels. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Pastor of Disaster

5.0 out of 5 stars McCarthy's Bar
A wonderful "journey of discovery in Ireland" His writing is descriptive, fun, and makes you feel like you are there with him. Great read.
Published 4 months ago by John McCarthy

5.0 out of 5 stars McCarthy's Bar
Fantastic account of an Englishman's desire to be Irish. Hilarious.
The account link's historical fact with whimsy and is soul searching at the same time. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Michael Wayne Babich

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny and informative
It took me a while to finish this book, not because I didn't enjoy, to the contrary, I wanted to make it last as long as possible, so I rationed out 10 or so pages a day and would... Read more
Published 20 months ago by redneckmonalisa

5.0 out of 5 stars So well written, and hilarious, as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book - Mr. McCarthy's humor and insight into the factors and foibles of humans had me laughing through each chapter. Bravo!
Published on September 26, 2007 by Beware of Barak!

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