A man, born in England with an English father and an Irish mother, has long searched for a sense of belonging that has eluded him in Britain.

Consequently, he decides to spend a season in Ireland, hoping to discover if he truly belongs there or if he is merely a victim of the overly sentimental and perhaps ruthless marketing of Irishness.

In Ireland, he indeed encounters an abundance of sentimental Irishness, but there is so much more to be found. This book, written by a travelogue writer, is both funny and revealing.

McCarthy's keen insights and vivid reporting transport the reader right into the heart of the Irish Tiger era, when Ireland's cities were experiencing rapid transformation, yet it was still possible to feel a sense of timelessness in the wild west.

It was a book that I thoroughly savored. However, like many Irish tales, there is an underlying sadness. Tragically, four years after the book's publication, the author passed away from cancer at the age of 51. Dia duit Pete!

I began reading Pete McCarty’s humorous travelogue before a planned trip to Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. I continued reading it during the trip and finally finished it in Mulrany. I left my well-thumbed copy in the drawer of the hotel’s bedside stand, beneath the Holy Bible. I wonder which book future hotel visitors will pick up more often?

Author Pete McCarthy didn’t opt for nice hotels. Instead, he sought out small, run-down bed and breakfasts and hostels. He poked fun at the impoverished inn owners and the strange or sometimes ominous fellow hostel characters who became brief travel companions. He consumed many pints of Guinness at any and all bars named McCarty’s Bar and took detours to house parties and campfires. In summary, his travelogue veers off course and turns into an autobiographical journal, delving into the reasons he prefers the carefree and musical vibes of his mother’s Irish ancestry. (He spent summers as a child with his mother visiting their Irish relatives, even though he lived and attended school in Great Britain, where his father lived.)

At times, I found myself laughing uproariously at his slapstick adventures and self-deprecating humor. However, at other times, his mockery of others seemed harsh and overly stereotyped. I picked up some questionably useful tips for my trip, such as timing the ordering of your next Guinness five minutes before you plan to finish the one you’re drinking, as it takes that long for the foam to settle on the next pour. (After all, heaven forbid there’s a pause in your incoming beer stream.) He clearly makes a case for loving the pastoral Irish western coastline. However, his stories of drunken escapades became increasingly mundane towards the final chapters.

Though I do believe that some might find comfort and laughter,

I however did not share the same feeling while reading this book.

Maybe it's my lack of knowledge of the English language as it is not my mother tongue.

There were way too many words that I could not make sense of.

Not that I didn't know them; although there were some I, in fact, did not know,

but it just didn't seem to make out to be as funny as their premises.

I'm confused if the English used was simply Irish and because of it the words didn't quite work with me.

However, I'd like to give it a try later in life when I'll hopefully know enough to understand this book.

Otherwise, it would just bore me again.

I really tried to read through the end, however I was not finding any joy in it and simply felt as if I were wasting time.

Perhaps with more exposure to the language and a better understanding of its nuances, I will be able to appreciate the humor and charm that others seem to find in this book. But for now, it remains a mystery to me.

Those who describe McCarthy as an Irish Bill Bryson aren't far off.

However, it's only if Bryson had a judgmental and mean-spirited edge.

True, McCarthy is witty and observant.

But he insists on categorizing Americans and his own people, the British, only in the most unflattering and crass groupings.

This, combined with the repetitive alcohol theme (and I say this as someone who enjoys a pint or two myself), compelled me to leave the book in my Naas, County Kildare hotel room only 3/4 finished without a shred of remorse.

It's truly disappointing.

The way he stereotypes and the overemphasis on alcohol made it a less enjoyable read for me.

I had expected more from a book that was supposed to offer unique insights and perspectives.

But unfortunately, it failed to meet my expectations.

Maybe others will find it more engaging, but for me, it just didn't click.

I was truly devastated to hear the news that Pete McCarthy had passed away.

His books had been such a source of joy and entertainment for me. I had always imagined that I would continue to embark on armchair travels with him throughout my life, laughing uncontrollably at his hilarious anecdotes.

His writing was so unique and engaging that it had the power to make me burst out laughing even when I was sitting quietly, enjoying a drink.

What set him apart was not just the humour, but also the way he made you feel like you were right there beside him on the journey, as if you were his mate.

Bill Bryson, watch out! Pete McCarthy was in a league of his own.

Rest in peace, Pete McCarthy. You will be deeply missed.

No spoilers in this review.

WHAT'S IT ABOUT?

Is it possible to belong in a country where you have never lived? This is Pete McCarthy's question, and McCarthy's Bar is his answer. As a northern Englishman with Irish heritage, McCarthy embarks on an adventure. He aims to discover if he truly belongs in Ireland due to some ancient genetic memory or if he has been deceived by an elaborate marketing that makes Ireland irresistibly appealing. Armed with a wrecked old car and a set of travel rules he must follow, like always stopping for a drink in a bar that displays his name, McCarthy narrates his journey across the country in a dry, sarcastic style.

The book is hilariously funny! I found myself crying with laughter on several occasions and couldn't help but burst into inappropriate giggles at many others. From wild cows to local Irish customs and societal norms, McCarthy's Bar presents a perfect picture of modern Ireland and its wonderful contradictions.

SHOULD I READ IT?

Although the book offers an interesting concept, it is primarily a comedic travelogue. The style of humour is very niche, a blend of Irish and northern English sarcasm and wit, which suited me perfectly as I am also from northern England, very close to the author, and have Irish heritage. However, some of the jokes and references are older as the book was first published in 2000. All in all, if you appreciate English and Irish wit, know your older references, or are over around 35 years old, you will undoubtedly find McCarthy's Bar a brilliantly funny read.

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I initially embarked on reading this book as a compulsory task. For a class, I was required to read a travel non-fiction book. Somehow, this particular one caught my attention and for some reason, it deeply resonated with me.

As I delved into its pages, I felt an unprecedented connection, stronger than any I had ever experienced with other non-fiction books. I found myself laughing out loud numerous times, losing count of how many times it happened within a single chapter.

In a way, I not only admire this man but also feel a tinge of envy. He travels through Ireland in search of a sense of belonging to his roots. I am in awe of all the memorable encounters he has had along the way. I envy him because I too have a longing to travel to the land of my ancestors, to discover if I truly belong there. This desire to travel through Europe burns within me.

I became so engrossed in this book that I found myself reading it out loud, eager to share it with my husband. I told him, "It is just that good! I want to share every bit of it with you. And if you have the opportunity to pick up a book to read, it should definitely be this one. I LOVED EVERY SINGLE THING ABOUT THIS BOOK!"

This book was truly very relaxing to read.

It had the remarkable ability to put me to sleep on numerous occasions, and in my current stage of life, that is indeed a good thing.

I really enjoyed the author's unique style of traveling. He simply allows the day to take him wherever it may, but there are certain places that he truly needs to check out.

Interestingly, it seems that he also indulges in a lot of Chinese food, which was rather odd considering the book is about Ireland.

However, my main issue with this book lies in the tone in which he discusses others. There is so much derision.

There is an abundance of fat phobia and misogyny, which is quite concerning.

While his humor is often funny, it should not come at the expense of his fellow travelers.

It is important to be respectful and inclusive in our writing and interactions, and this book could have benefited from a more positive and accepting tone.

Overall, despite its flaws, the book did have some enjoyable aspects, but the negative tone towards others detracted from the overall reading experience.

I think this book is rather outdated. It was published in 2000 and, at least in my experience, the tourist scene in Ireland has changed significantly since then.

His accounts of trips through Eire seem to be filled with tales of bad food and subpar lodgings. Maybe that was the case back then, but I have the impression that he has exaggerated for effect.

In his view, all American tourists are overweight and consume diet soda all day long, Aussies are all alcoholics, Germans are fixated on routine and punctuality, and so on. He employs some slang and makes references that are either specifically British or Irish, or extremely obscurely literary. Whatever they were, they went right over my head.

If you have traveled in Ireland, you might find this book somewhat interesting. However, if you have never been there, this book does not provide a very accurate portrayal of what the country is like today. I would recommend skipping this one.

I picked up this book with the anticipation that it would be centered around the author's journey traveling throughout Ireland, visiting numerous bars named 'McCarthy', and delving deep into the exploration of Ireland and its people. To a certain extent, this is what the book offers. However, as I delved further into its pages, it increasingly resembled the autobiography of a specific period in his life when he just so happened to be in Ireland.

He fails to make the places he visits or the people he encounters come alive vividly on the page. Although his observations and jokes do have their moments of humor, a significant portion of them seem rather tired and overused. Moreover, I didn't appreciate how he took jabs at tourists there, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he himself was a tourist. In contrast, Bill Bryson's books often contain jokes and amusing incidents at his own expense, and despite having various (funny) bad experiences, he appears to truly relish the people and places he writes about. Sadly, I didn't get that same sense from McCarthy.

Is this book funny? The answer is yes. But in all honesty, I would classify it more as pure autobiography/humour rather than 'travel' writing. It seems that the aspects of autobiography and 'being funny' have overshadowed the 'travel' element.

McCarthy is indeed a competent writer and a skilled narrator. Nevertheless, in my opinion, this book doesn't quite live up to what it promises. For anyone intrigued by Pete McCarthy's life shortly before his untimely passing in 2003, I would most definitely recommend this book. However, for those who are seeking a taste of 'Irish travel writing', I would suggest looking elsewhere.

English review below the Greek one...
4+/5
This book is one of my favorites for both personal reasons and its unique humor and accurate observations. It was written twenty years ago, so some things may or may not be relevant today. It's definitely not politically correct and some people might be bothered by it. However, if you have any idea about Ireland or are interested in this country, it's a great choice.
It's one of the books I've read many times over the years and I always appreciate it.

4+/5
I guess we all have our own biases, and I can understand how this book might not appeal to everyone. But for me, it's a favorite in travel writing and about Ireland. Published in 2000, it might be outdated in some aspects, and Pete McCarthy has strong opinions on certain issues. I don't always agree with his views on national stereotypes, behaviors, tourism, and traveling styles, but I find this book much more vividly written than some of the sterilized, blunt, politically correct reads of today. While it's not laugh-out-loud material, I enjoyed the author's wit. I also liked the literary references, and of course, being about Ireland, there's a fair share of weirdness. Having visited some of the locations mentioned in the book always helps, although I'm sure I missed some cultural references.
Reading the author's commentary on things like the booming Celtic Tiger or his witty remarks on how certain things can affect your health, life expectancy, or even your afterlife is interesting and provides food for thought in hindsight. Sadly, the author passed away from cancer in 2004, and the Irish economy was hit hard by the 2008 financial crisis.

McCarthy's Bar was followed by The Road to McCarthy, which is still a very quirky read. It takes the author to all kinds of odd locations around the world, exploring the history of and meeting the Irish diaspora. The tone of The Road is a bit different and not as witty as McCarthy's Bar, but it's still very interesting. The author always seemed to end up mingling with an eccentric crowd somehow...

I've read this book many times over the years, and I like to revisit it every now and then. It's a book that always manages to capture my attention and make me laugh, while also providing some interesting insights into Ireland and its people.

I just really could not get into this book.

It seems to meander aimlessly and does not appear to have a clear direction.

Pete McCarthy's writing style is all over the place, which makes it a little bit difficult to follow.

He jumps from one topic to another without a smooth transition, leaving the reader feeling lost and confused.

The lack of a coherent narrative makes it hard to engage with the story and understand the author's intended message.

Perhaps if the book had been more focused and better organized, I would have been able to enjoy it more.

As it stands, however, I found it to be a rather frustrating read.