For a number of years, I had heard about this book. So, when I finally took it off my shelf to explore, I was rather disappointed. I have to admit that I put it down for days and weeks at a time and then came back to it. Maybe, subconsciously, I was hoping that it was just my mood and that I would enjoy it more later. Well, I guess I did enjoy it a bit more as I sat down with the intention of finishing it when I got to the final part. However, I was not filled with the kind of laughter that I had expected or that some people had promised me.

Still, it is a worthwhile book. Pete's travels were interesting, to say the least. But I'm afraid it is showing its age just a little bit. The language and some of the situations might seem a bit dated to modern readers. Nevertheless, it does offer a unique perspective on a particular time and place. It makes you think about how things have changed and how some things have stayed the same. Overall, it's not a bad read, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations.

Pete McCarthy's journey through Ireland, the homeland of his ancestors, is a fascinating adventure that frequently takes unexpected turns.

He often finds himself in every pub named McCarthy's (or MacCarthy's, or any other variation of the name).

If you are a lover of Bill Bryson's travelogues, which are both respectful and irreverent, mocking and good-natured, and always, always funny, then Pete McCarthy's travels through Ireland are definitely for you.

Maria's description of Pete's journey makes it sound like a must-read for anyone interested in Ireland, travel, or just a good laugh.

It seems that Pete's experiences in Ireland are filled with interesting characters, unique pubs, and unexpected encounters that will keep readers entertained from start to finish.

Whether you are planning a trip to Ireland or simply looking for a great travel read, Pete McCarthy's journey is sure to satisfy.

I have an absolute passion for the way McCarthy weaves his tales!

One might require a modicum of acquaintance with British slang to fully grasp all of his allusions, yet he gracefully alternates between eliciting laughter from you and elucidating the profound significance a place holds for him. His astute observations and vivid descriptions of his fellow travelers are uproariously funny in certain segments.

When I became aware that he had departed this world several years ago, I felt a genuine pang of sadness. Moreover, I was also disheartened to realize that I would not be able to unearth many other works of his. As I penned my own travelogue about Australia, I was incessantly posing the question to myself: Would Pete McCarthy find this humorous? If the response was in the negative, I promptly excised the joke.

This shows the great influence McCarthy had on me and how his style and sense of humor left an indelible mark on my own writing. I will always cherish the unique charm and wit that he brought to his stories.

The book was first published in 2000.

It achieved remarkable success, selling nearly a million copies.

This outstanding performance led to McCarthy winning the prestigious Newcomer of the Year award at the British Book Awards in 2002.

The publication of the book not only brought great popularity to McCarthy but also made a significant impact in the literary world.

With its engaging content and unique writing style, it captured the hearts and minds of countless readers.

The recognition McCarthy received at the British Book Awards further solidified his position as a promising new talent in the literary field.

Overall, the book's success and McCarthy's subsequent award are testaments to the power of good storytelling and the ability of a talented author to make a lasting impression.

Ireland, as I observe, is a nation brimming with countless tales waiting to be told.

“Yes,” he affirms. “And some of them are indeed true.”

In his travels, Pete McCarthy adhered to one principle - . . . never pass a bar that has your name on it.

And during this delightful sojourn to the Emerald Isle, he didn't pass by many bars.

There's a pub - with no name shown, but almost surely named McCarthy's. Regrettably, it's closed. This is a hard concept to fathom. I've never come across a closed pub in Ireland before, and I'm unsure how to deal with it.

His itinerary mainly consists of - I will step outside, roam around aimlessly, and see what unfolds.

He undertakes this particular journey to revisit his past and pay tribute to his heritage. Besides taking in the local scenery and frequenting the local pubs, McCarthy prowls old cemeteries and engages in a rather uncomfortable yet worthwhile pilgrimage. Along the way, the reader will be treated to the author's philosophy on life and his sharp, often hilarious, observations. He offers numerous pearls of wisdom such as the following regarding always having a book at hand:

Fortunately, I've trained myself over the years never to venture anywhere without something to read, just in case someone arrives late, the meeting concludes early, or I'm accidentally imprisoned for thirty-five years and placed in solitary confinement. I'm actually quite concerned about those people one sees on long train journeys with nothing to read, just staring vacantly into the middle distance. What on earth is going on in their minds, then? Perhaps they have excellent memories and are simply recollecting a particularly good book they once read, which spares them from having to carry one around. Because there's a risk in carrying a book around: you might misplace it somewhere before you've finished it. I once left my copy of Get Shorty in the back of a drunken farmer's Jeep in Costa Rica when I was only two-thirds of the way through, and it completely spoiled the trip. The rainforest is a far duller place without Elmore Leonard. And I've lost Angela's Ashes twice. Does that poor kid ever grow up? Do they convince his dad to enter rehab?

And these words to live by:

If life is a book, then read it while you can.

This is a trip truly worth taking. McCarthy makes an outstanding traveling companion.

By the way... did you notice the nun on the cover relishing her pint? Cheers, Sister. May you at least pass away in Ireland.

Simply marvellous!

This phrase truly captures the essence of something extraordinary. It implies a sense of wonder and admiration. When we describe something as simply marvellous, we are expressing our extreme delight and satisfaction. It could be a beautiful work of art, a breathtaking performance, or a remarkable achievement. The word "simply" emphasizes the straightforwardness of our admiration, while "marvellous" conveys the sense of something amazing and wonderful. It is a phrase that can be used to describe a wide variety of experiences and objects that leave us in awe. Whether it's a delicious meal, a stunning sunset, or a kind gesture from a friend, when something is simply marvellous, it has the power to brighten our day and make us feel truly grateful.

There are some truly amusing tales and a small collection of extremely funny stories. These stories have the power to bring a smile to one's face and lighten the mood. One of the highlights is my favorite line, which goes, "I like reading in a pub rather than a library or a study, as it's generally much easier to get a drink." This line not only showcases a humorous perspective but also adds a touch of wit to the overall narrative. It makes you think about the unconventional places where one might choose to engage in the activity of reading. The combination of the amusing tales and this funny line creates a unique and entertaining experience for the reader.

I absolutely loved this book.

It's not the kind of book that I would typically envision myself finishing easily. However, it has this perfect blend of being hilarious and sentimental.

The author has managed to create a story that constantly makes you laugh out loud with its witty remarks and comical situations. At the same time, it also tugs at your heartstrings with its touching and emotional moments.

It's a truly unique reading experience that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

I found myself completely immersed in the story and the characters, and before I knew it, I had reached the end.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a lighthearted yet meaningful read.

It's one that will leave you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart.

I really liked the book, and I truly think he is a talented writer.

The parts about Ireland in the book are absolutely fascinating and great fun to read. However, he takes xenophobia to an extreme level.

He makes such harsh generalizations, saying that Americans are all hugely fat and the Germans just enjoy marching to a drum.

What a negative person he is!

That's the typical British attitude for you, always thinking they're better than everyone else.

Here I am, being like him.

These are nothing but bitter diatribes against the entire human race, except for the Irish or as he calls them, the Oirish.

It's such a waste of his talent.

There's just too much drunken, grouchy, and stupid pondering going on.

I consider myself superior because I'm thin and witty.

Boo!

As a former travel writer for a magazine, one might assume that I would devour more travel writing. However, that's not the case.

I have never found myself as deeply engaged with the characters in nonfiction as I am with those in fiction. This has led me to stay away from travel writing for the most part.

But during my two-month study period in Ireland, when I spent weekends with my family in County Cavan, something changed. I happened to pick up this particular book.

To my surprise, I regularly found myself laughing out loud at the author's stories. The uncanny truths he presented about Ireland and its people were truly astounding. It served as an unlikely but wonderful supplement to the Irish political history that I had just studied in class.

This book is a great read for anyone who is about to travel to Ireland, has just returned from Ireland, or is simply a lover of all things Irish. It offers a unique and entertaining perspective that is sure to delight and inform.

This review pertains to both of the late Pete McCarthy's books, namely McCarthy's Bar and The Road to McCarthy.

Pete McCarthy writes, “If you travel in hope rather than with certain knowledge, something interesting usually happens.” Based on his first two books, it's clear that McCarthy is an incredibly hopeful traveler. Wherever he ventures - be it a pub in a small Irish town, an Irish bar in a big American city, or a sparsely populated Alaskan burg that shares his name - something truly interesting unfolds.

McCarthy has the storytelling skills of a seasoned raconteur, liar, or sage (you can choose the term as they're interchangeable) and is willing to take us along as his companion. We're well-advised to accompany him on his lively and hilarious journeys.

McCarthy's first book, McCarthy's Bar, commences with the eighth rule of travel: “Never Pass a Bar That Has Your Name On It.” Born to an English father and an Irish mother, and having grown up in England with extended visits to his mother's family in Cork, McCarthy ponders, “Is it possible to have some kind of genetic memory of a place where you've never lived, but your ancestors have? Or am I just a sentimental fool, my judgment muddled by nostalgia, Guinness, and the romance of the diaspora?”

He might very well be an accidental mystic or a fool, but above all, he is a pilgrim in search of roots, a sense of home and history. And his stories extend far beyond bars named “Pete's” or “McCarthy's.” The cast of characters in McCarthy's Irish adventures includes keepers of public houses, fellow McCarthys who treat him as family, tourists from around the world, and people like Mr. Goggin and an unnamed “little lady” with a mysterious vibe.

Early in his journey, McCarthy focuses on St. Patrick’s Purgatory, Lough Derg, as a particular destination. There, at a “unique centre of Celtic spirituality,” he participates in a three-day pilgrimage of sleep-deprived fasting and barefoot devotion to the Stations of the Cross. But first, he climbs Croagh Patrick.

His account of the climb includes both the touristically ridiculous, like encountering a woman running down the slope at a breakneck pace, and the sublime, as he experiences a spiritual element from the people who have visited the mountain for millennia.

Lough Derg and its three-day fast and pilgrimage have been written about poetically by some of Ireland's greats. McCarthy, with his trademark wit, offers a rather different perspective. His account alternates between seriousness and humor as he counts up the prayers prayed and examines the good priest/bad priest dynamic. By the end, he admits that there was something to it.

The reader can't help but hope that Pete McCarthy never quite figures out who he is; that way, he will need to keep looking. In his second book, The Road to McCarthy, the search continues. This time, he ranges even farther afield - to Morocco, Tasmania, Montserrat, New York, Montana, and Alaska - each time following a McCarthy trail that begins in Cork and follows one of the many directions of the Irish diaspora.

Right from the start of The Road to McCarthy, we know that McCarthy’s Bar was no fluke. His descriptions of his fellow passengers during a turbulent flight and his experiences in various cities are both entertaining and engaging. In New York, his wild tale of coincidences is almost too good to be true, but it's too captivating to disbelieve.

As McCarthy regales us with his travel tales, we become less concerned with the actual outcome of all his exploration and more and more enthralled by the sense that his stories themselves are the essence. One of the objects of his travel is to track down Terence McCarthy, the purported chief of the McCarthy clan. Another McCarthy in New York offers an interesting perspective on the scandal surrounding Terence, highlighting the importance of the stories themselves in bringing people together.

The McCarthy story is perhaps a microcosm of the human story. In headline form, it might read: “Claims that Unify Trumped by Divisiveness.” It's time to let the stories do their work for the human race, free from politics and power claims. Pete McCarthy knows how to tell a story, and these books are a great place to discover that talent once again.

Good humor and interesting insight into Irish people

This piece offers a truly engaging exploration of the Irish people. It is not only a fun and easy read but also a delightful exercise in the geography of Ireland. The author's comical style makes it a light-hearted and enjoyable experience. However, beneath the surface of the humor, there are some surprisingly deep insights.

One can't help but be charmed by the way the author presents the unique characteristics and idiosyncrasies of the Irish. It's as if we are taken on a virtual tour of Ireland, getting to know its people and their culture in a most entertaining way.

The combination of good humor and interesting insights makes this article a must-read for anyone interested in Ireland or simply looking for a fun and engaging piece of writing. It leaves the reader with a newfound appreciation for the Irish people and their rich heritage.