Although I read this years ago,

I still vividly remember its warmth and humor.

The simple sentence "Never walk by a bar that bears your name" holds a certain charm.

It makes me imagine a situation where one passes by a bar with their own name on it.

Perhaps there is a story behind that bar, or it could be a sign of fate.

It could be a place where one might have unexpected encounters or make new memories.

The idea of not walking by such a bar implies that there is something special or significant about it.

It could be a place to unwind, have a drink, and enjoy the company of others.

This short statement leaves room for the reader's imagination to run wild and creates a sense of curiosity and anticipation.

Even after all these years, it still manages to bring a smile to my face and make me think about the possibilities that lie within such a simple yet powerful concept.

A wander around Ireland to discover your heritage sounds benign enough.

However, when you travel with Pete McCarthy, it's never going to be that simple. Some bad decisions, unexpected encounters, and a prodigious amount of Guinness ensure that the author's journey is both engaging and hilarious. There's a bit of Irish history and culture thrown in for good measure, but we are never far from a bar. McCarthy's easy and engaging writing style makes this an immensely enjoyable book.

His idea that the experiences of his ancestors may be laid down in his own genetic memory formed the premise for my own book, “In Search of a Northern Soul,” in which I took myself around the northeast of England looking for my own sense of belonging.

It is a deep sadness that Pete McCarthy passed away in 2004 at the all too early age of 52. But he did manage to write a second book, “The Road to McCarthy,” before he died, and that's a cracker as well.

Although his catalogue may be limited to just those two books, Pete McCarthy is right up there with the best of travel writers. He stands shoulder to shoulder with Bryson, Palin, Paul Theroux et al. A solid five stars, and I would give it six if I could.

I discovered this book in a shop in Roundstone during a trip to Ireland in May 2008. McCarthy, who passed away in 2004, was the son of an English father and an Irish mother. He spent many of his boyhood vacations in Ireland and later returned as a man and a well-known British travel writer, with the 8th rule of travel firmly in his mind: "Never pass by a bar that has your name on it."

So, this book is basically about a pub-crawl. It's a very funny and highly insightful pub-crawl through the west of Ireland, just as the roar of the Celtic tiger was starting to be heard all across the island. McCarthy vividly captures the changes brought about by sudden prosperity, both the good and the bad, with a bittersweet understanding of what will be lost and what might be gained.

He's a sociable pub crawler, and as a result, he meets countless interesting people and skillfully sketches them for our entertainment. He manages to reach a whole host of obscure places that some travelers might wish to add to their life list. For example, there's the remote island accessible only by a single-seat cable car, and the monastery that seems caught in amber and still accepts pilgrim visits nowadays.

And his heart is always in the right place - up front and center - just as it was when he returned to the narrow famine road on the Dingle peninsula's Slea Head, which overlooks the Blasket and Skellig islands shining in the Atlantic. He writes, "As I stand at the cliff's edge, a spontaneous, non-specific wave of emotion surges up inside me. I don't know where it's directed or why it's happening, only that it feels unconditional. A tear wells up in my eye....how often in your life are you confronted by a landscape whose beauty makes you weep?"

This was an extremely entertaining book.

A significant number of people here have grumbled that McCarthy is "too English" for this to be a great book about Ireland. However, I believe that's precisely the reason why I relished it so much. I'm not Irish (unless one counts ancestry like nearly everyone else in America does). So, this offers a witty and charming perspective on Ireland from an outsider's vantage point. Indeed, he has immediate family there and has crossed the sea numerous times, but it still seemed as if this was his first journey, and I could utilize this to assist in mapping out my own visit to Ireland.

Who desires to see the same cities and things that every other tourist does when one could carry along something like this book and discover a more behind-the-scenes Ireland?

I appreciated the fact that, while McCarthy does levy some unjust criticisms at Ireland and its people, he also levels just as many at himself and his own world view. This is an experienced traveler who isn't penning a travel novel but is simply conversing with the reader as he embarks on his own adventure. I like that he's not lecturing you but engaging with you through this, as if you're right there with him. This made this book far more enjoyable than the more academic travel books I've perused previously.

I would recommend this to anyone with a sense of humor and an interest in Ireland, even if it's just to broaden their world view.

This book has been sitting on my "to read" shelf for perhaps five years.

Published over 20 years ago, there wasn't any immediate urgency to pick it up.

I have to admit, I'll echo what everyone else has said. It is truly hilarious!

I adored his travel rules, his humorous perspective on people, and his charming descriptions of various places.

He possesses a genuine talent for vivid description, although I'm aware that, after two decades, the places he描绘的 are likely no longer the same or have changed dramatically.

As the book quote goes: "I should know by now that sometimes it's best not to grumble when things go against you, when you're turned away from somewhere you think you want to be, and end up somewhere else. The unexpected destination is invariably the best."

This quote really stuck with me and made me reflect on the importance of embracing the unexpected in life and travel.

Overall, this book has been a delightful read that has not only entertained me but also given me some valuable insights.

I'm glad I finally took the time to pick it up and would highly recommend it to others.

I have never been to Ireland and, to be honest, it has never been a destination to consider among my travels. I am more of a "Mediterranean" person and I don't like Nordic countries much.

However, I must say that, thanks to the author's kindness and humor and the beauty of the landscapes described in the book, I am starting to have a thought about a possible trip to Ireland.

It was nice to share with the author his journey in search of his family roots and the discovery of being part of a "clan".

I think that visiting Ireland could be an interesting and enriching experience, not only for the beautiful landscapes and the rich history, but also for the opportunity to get to know a different culture and way of life.

Maybe one day I will have the courage to take this trip and discover Ireland for myself.

I have a profound love for traveling. However, more often than not, I seldom allocate the time to conduct extensive research prior to embarking on my journey. The reason behind this is that I find the standard guide books to be extremely dull and lacking in inspiration, which is precisely the opposite of what I envision my trip to be like. Usually, I make an attempt to read novels that are set in whichever city or place I am planning to visit. This is done in an effort to truly penetrate the heart of that particular place and its people.

This book, on the other hand, serves as the perfect midway point. It is both informative and useful. One can obtain a good understanding of which parts of the country should be prioritized and which ones can be simply driven through. Moreover, it has a heart and soul that beats on every single page.

The writing style is witty, and at times, it is so hilarious that one cannot help but laugh out loud. There is a real tenderness in the way the author speaks about his subject matter, which includes Ireland, the Irish people, and Irishness. Fear not, as it is not all overly sentimental. The author is not afraid to be direct and honest when necessary, especially when it comes to any artificial or contrived attempts to cash in on the tourist season.

As someone who hails from Ireland, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It has instilled in me a desire to take my time and meander along the coast, simply to see what unfolds.

HI-larious! :)

This simple expression holds a world of humor within it. The word "HI" is such a common greeting, but when combined with "larious" in this unique way, it creates a lighthearted and comical tone. It's as if someone is playfully exclaiming that something is extremely funny. The use of the colon and the smiley face further emphasizes the humorous nature of the statement. It can be used in various situations, whether it's to describe a hilarious joke, a funny incident, or just a generally amusing moment. It has the power to bring a smile to people's faces and spread a bit of laughter. So, the next time you encounter something truly funny, don't hesitate to exclaim "HI-larious! :)" and share the joy with those around you.

I absolutely adored this LOL book.

It is indeed a great pity that Pete McCarthy is no longer here to pen more with his incisive wit and delightful humour.

This book is in fact a travel log, and as I read it, I had the distinct feeling that I was right beside him on this very personal journey, experiencing all the good, the bad, and the ugly along with him.

It is such an incredible read that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

Pete McCarthy was truly a master storyteller, capable of painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind and making them feel as if they were part of the adventure.

His unique style and perspective make this book a must-read for anyone who loves travel, humour, and great storytelling.

I highly recommend it to all.

Travel writing has always been my favorite genre. However, it has been quite some time since I last delved into a travel book. Recently, I had the pleasure of reading a truly remarkable one that left me thoroughly entertained and enlightened.

This book was not only funny but also incredibly insightful. Pete McCarthy, the author, shares the same philosophy towards travel as I do: "get creatively lost." I was truly impressed by how he seamlessly combines a genuine quest for deeper meaning with a healthy dose of humor and incredulity.

As I read through the pages, I couldn't help but relate to many of the experiences he described. When I travel alone, I too encounter those unforgettable and coincidental interactions, those absurd moments that seem almost too far-fetched to be true, the freedom to change plans on a whim, and yes, the occasional bouts of loneliness that are an inevitable part of the journey.

While I did find myself getting a little bored around the halfway mark, as the book did seem to have a bit of a repetitive feel, it quickly regained my interest and kept me engaged until the very end.

Reading this book in the spring of 2021 was particularly timely. After a long and challenging year of travel restrictions and quarantine due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the rollout of the vaccine has finally given us a glimmer of hope. At least here in America, things are starting to look up.

Ireland has been near the top of my travel bucket list for quite some time now, and I am hopeful that I will be able to visit this beautiful country in the near future. My partner's last name is O'Connell, so we will definitely be following McCarthy's rule of never passing up a pub with your name on it. Although, I must admit, we do run the risk of being those dreaded American heritage tourists. Oh well, such is the price of following our hearts and seeking out new adventures.

All in all, this was a wonderful book that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves travel and great storytelling. It has rekindled my passion for travel and has given me a newfound appreciation for the power of words to transport us to far-off places and allow us to experience the world through someone else's eyes.

Pete McCarthy, an Englishman with Irish roots and family in Ireland's wild west, embarks on a Bryson-style tour of west Ireland in an attempt to figure out his identity - is he English or Irish?

Written in 1999, the book描绘了一个我当时非常熟悉的国家，我很高兴能够认出熟悉的人物和场景。名字和城镇可能有所不同，但我经历过几乎相同的情景。麦卡锡的旅行规则之一是永远不要经过一家以他的名字命名的酒吧（还有很多其他名字的酒吧），这样的酒吧有很多，而他对一品脱啤酒的喜爱是许多有趣故事的开始。爱尔兰酒吧的体验以及这些夜晚可能会经历的不太可能的过程，也是我多次享受过的。

90年代后期是爱尔兰旅游业的繁荣时期，麦卡锡哀叹虚假的爱尔兰特色逐渐渗透并破坏了他童年时熟悉的城镇。为了给游客提供爱尔兰体验，这个国家正面临失去其身份的危险。当然，到20世纪末，他所知道的爱尔兰似乎正在经历永远的变化。这将是我所知道的唯一的爱尔兰，我体验到了真正的爱尔兰吗？是的，我相信我体验到了。但在我上次访问后的二十年里，它又发生了多少变化呢？也许我应该找个时间去了解一下，或者我会不会不喜欢我所发现的呢？不管怎样，我喜欢这本书。

The author, Pete McCarthy, was born in England. His mother was Irish and his father was English.

In this book, he documents his journey in Ireland. He starts from Cork in the south of Ireland, travels through the west, and then heads north to Donegal.

Pete McCarthy is observant and intelligent. He loves meeting people, and many of them happen to have the surname McCarthy. He has a dry sense of humor.

While recording his trip, it's not clear whether he makes extra efforts to interact with others to experience something different, hoping to enrich the book, or if this is just his nature in any situation.

Whichever the case, he has provided an interesting perspective on the Irish way of life. This has been enhanced by his preference for staying in Bed and Breakfast accommodations whenever possible and encountering some unusual environments.

There are numerous humorous situations in the book, making it an enjoyable read. Quoting the Irish saying, "You can't walk past a bar with your name on it", many of his descriptions are related to McCarthy's Bar, which are plentiful in Ireland.

Overall, I would rate this book 3.5 stars.