Other than a few cracked ribs, I emerged from this book with a valuable travel anecdote: sometimes, it's beneficial to get creatively lost. While a sense of purpose has its moments when traveling, for the most part, it's highly overrated.

McCarthy documents his journey through his native Ireland, where he spent part of his early life and received his early education from the Christian Brothers, who employed "the carrot and stick method of education, but without the carrot."

He flies to Cork and then rents a car to drive around, a "bog-standard repmobile with up-to-the-minute features" and a radio he can't operate. Later in the journey, he gets a flat tire, which he struggles to change as he hasn't changed a wheel in about 15 years.

As he relishes the simple manly pleasure of changing the wheel, he fails to notice the cows that have drawn closer to watch, with their "misty, mad, glued-up eyes and their vile dribly lips, oozing mucus." He is unsettled by their gaze, and his concentration is completely disrupted. Apparently, there are approximately 12 cow-related deaths each year.

This was an outstanding book, a self-titled travelogue in a sense. I was in stitches while reading some of the passages and descriptions, even though I had never been to Ireland, where the shops are named after saints like St. Peter and St. Mark, presumably to "Indicate divine endorsement."

Born to an English father of Irish descent and an Irish mother, McCarthy explores Ireland through a hilarious travel story and his unsuccessful attempt at reconnecting with his roots and relatives.

He shares the "rules of travel" throughout the book, starting with rule no. 8: Never Pass A Bar That Has Your Name On It. Other rules include no. 7: Never Eat in a Restaurant with Laminated Menus, and no. 17: Never Try and Score Dope from Hassidic Jews While Under the Impression They're Rastafarians.

Five stars from me!

I felt a new wave of grief when I learned that Pete McCarthy passed away in 2004. I only discovered this as I was searching for more of his books online. May his soul rest in peace.

This was just truly wonderful.

I would have completed it much sooner if Cub Camp hadn't interfered.

However, this only served to enhance it, much like a fine wine that shouldn't be consumed all at once.

It is beautifully written, extremely funny, and an absolute delight from beginning to end.

I once went in search of "that fecking dolphin" but unfortunately didn't catch a glimpse of him.

This is Ireland as it truly is.

I was truly saddened to learn about Pete McCarthy's untimely passing, and this is indeed a great loss to the literary world.

I love the fact that he can quote Thackeray throughout and not seem even remotely pompous or dull.

The next time I have Chinese food, I shall be having Singapore Noodles in your honor, Pete.

Travel personality Pete McCarthy, who is half-English and half-Irish, embarks on a journey around Ireland. His aim is to reconcile his Irish heritage with his predominantly English upbringing. To achieve this, he explores the country to determine what is truly Irish and what is fabricated to boost Irish tourism.

One of McCarthy's travel rules is "Never Pass a Bar That Has Your Name On It." Fortunately for him, there are numerous bars and pubs across Ireland named with variations of Pete or McCarthy. As he travels in The Tank, a rickety old Volvo that emits black fumes from its exhaust, McCarthy seems to visit every single one of them.

McCarthy's Bar is an outstanding travel narrative. It is filled with wild anecdotes, peculiar characters, and unforgettable scenery. Even if it only offered these elements, it would still be one of my favorite books in this genre. However, it is also the funniest book of any genre that I have read in a long time.

The combination of McCarthy's humorous writing style, his engaging adventures, and his unique perspective on Ireland makes McCarthy's Bar a must-read for anyone interested in travel, humor, or Irish culture.

The book jacket led me to believe that this would be an uproariously funny read. However, while it does have its fair share of humorous moments, it is much more than that. It is an entertaining stream of consciousness travel adventure that takes the reader on a journey through Ireland.

We follow part-Irish Pete McCarthy as he explores the country, reminiscing about his childhood and comparing it to the modern, touristy Ireland of today. As he wanders from place to place, we tag along and learn about the nature of Ireland and its people. We might stop in a small town, visit ancient ruins, and discover the rich history of the Irish. Or we might come across a marker that tells the story of the famine, or hear Pete's complaints about noisome prawn crackers packets or the exorbitant price of Singapore noodles.

In addition to stopping at every pub named McCarthy to enjoy a stout, the author also educates us about a plethora of small details that we might otherwise have overlooked. He tells us about the changing colors of buildings in a village, how to ask for directions when lost, and the importance of taking the time to pour a good stout. He also shares the polite expectations of both the bar tender and the bar guest during this ritual. I am truly glad that I read this book as it has given me a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Irish.

I bought this book on a whim, and to my great surprise, I completely enjoyed Pete McCarthy's accounts of his travels.

There are some really hilarious scenes that made me burst out laughing, and at the same time, there are a number of very touching moments that tugged at my heartstrings.

Out of curiosity, I Googled the author and was devastated to discover that he had passed away just a few years after the publication of his second book. What an enormous loss it is for the literary world.

Despite this sad news, I'll still be purchasing this book for my friends as long as it remains available. It's a wonderful read that I believe everyone should experience.

I highly recommend it to anyone who loves travel stories or just a good laugh and a touch of emotion.

I absolutely adored this. On the surface, it seems to be just an account of one man's meanderings around the west coast of Ireland. However, McCarthy's Bar delves much deeper, exploring profound questions of heritage and roots. It specifically examines why so many people have an intense sense of belonging in a particular corner of the world.

The author, Pete McCarthy, was born in England. But he often had a strong feeling that he was Irish. This was partly due to his mother being from Ireland. But perhaps there was also some mysterious, metaphysical force at play, something less easily explicable.

What makes this book an eminently enjoyable read is that McCarthy explores these matters in such a humorous and touching way.

Sadly, Pete McCarthy passed away at the age of 52. His untimely death makes one passage towards the end of McCarthy's Bar especially poignant. He writes, "Where's the incentive to be frugal with life's pleasures... if you're going to be plunged into the darkened abyss at some arbitrary hour? If life is a book, then read it while you can. Don't save up any pages for later, because there might not be one."

Rest in peace, Mr McCarthy. Thank you for your wonderful book. It was truly great.

A fine enough book, one that makes you feel the Irish countryside. That alone makes it worth a read.

However, the author delights in going out of his way to make fun of fat people, which seems rather unkind and leaves out any other opportunities for more diverse and interesting parody.

In the end, the discovery is purely his own, and the fixation on penitence overhangs the rest of the book. I was initially expecting something more free-wheeling, imagining that he would approach that portion in a more spontaneous, seat-of-the-pants manner, perhaps even skipping it altogether. But in the end, he did not. Instead, a good portion of the book concerns his fasting and prayer, which doesn't exactly make for a freewheeling adventure.

Of course, the loose schedule in the rest of the book isn't the main point. But until the pilgrimage, we are led to believe that it will be the overriding force. Sadly, this turns out not to be the case. The book, while having its moments of charm with the描绘 of the Irish countryside, also has its drawbacks in the form of the author's one-sided focus and unappealing humor.

Overall, it's a book that has its strengths and weaknesses, and whether it's truly a great read depends on the reader's personal preferences.

A good travel book has the remarkable ability to transport you to a different world, making you feel as if you're actually on vacation. This particular travel book has had such a profound impact on me that it has ignited a strong desire within me to uproot and relocate to Ireland.

Admittedly, I might already have had a certain inclination towards Ireland even before reading this book. Maybe it was the allure of its lush green landscapes, its rich history and folklore, or the warmth and charm of its people that had always intrigued me.

But this travel book has taken that initial interest and turned it into a burning passion. It has painted a vivid and enticing picture of Ireland, filled with descriptions of its breathtaking scenery, its ancient castles and monasteries, and its vibrant cities and towns.

As I turn the pages, I can almost smell the fresh sea air, taste the delicious local cuisine, and hear the sound of traditional Irish music. It makes me long to explore the Emerald Isle for myself, to walk in the footsteps of its legends and soak up its unique atmosphere.

Who knows? Maybe one day I'll gather my courage, pack my bags, and make the move to Ireland. And when I do, I'll have this travel book to thank for inspiring me to take that leap of faith.

So here's a book that my wife recommended.

Her parents also read and enjoyed it.

And it's not just because of an affinity created by the fact that the McCaffrey family often has their name misheard, mispronounced and mistranscribed as McCarthy.

More likely it's simply that they've all been to and loved Ireland.

This book is a funny, self-deprecating travelogue covering most of the island.

It also introduced me to a fundamental rule of travel: if you encounter a bar with your own name over the door, you MUST go inside for a drink.

Obviously this happens far more often to Pete McCarthy in Ireland than it ever has or will happen to me.

BUT, it has steeled my resolve to be on the lookout for any Dale's Cantina or Glaser Festbrauhaus I might stumble across, into, and eventually out of.

I am now more eager to explore different places, hoping to find such unique bars with my name.

It adds an element of excitement and anticipation to my future travels.

Who knows what kind of experiences I might have in those bars?

Maybe I'll meet interesting people or have some memorable conversations.

The book has truly inspired me to embrace the unexpected and make the most of my travel adventures.

A truly hilarious and rambling journey unfolds as the author embarks on a trip around the country. Along the way, there are various mishaps and strange encounters that add to the charm and chaos of the adventure. The author's main objective is to make a connection with his childhood, and as part of this, he makes it a point to drink in every bar he comes across called McCarthy's. Pints are joyfully downed, tourists are playfully mocked, and the beautiful scenery is admired during this eventful road trip.

However, this journey is not just about having fun. It also includes a rather unique experience - a 3-day fast at St. Patrick's Purgatory in Lough Derg. Here, the author walks "stations" of the ruins of monastic cells, all while barefoot. This part of the trip adds a touch of reflection and solemnity to the otherwise lighthearted adventure. It's both funny and thought-provoking, and it offers an interesting perspective on how Ireland has changed over the last 50 years. Through this journey, the author not only discovers new places and experiences but also gains a deeper understanding of himself and the country he loves.

An essential companion when travelling in Ireland, this book holds a special place in my heart. It is one of my all-time favourite reads. The first time I went on holiday to Ireland, in a camper van with my husband, 4 kids and a dog, I took this book along to read. It is exceptionally funny, with a touch of sweetness that makes it truly endearing. Moreover, it is filled with a plethora of very interesting facts and info that add depth to the reading experience. I can firmly state that no better guide to travelling in Ireland exists. Last summer, I revisited Ireland and took this book with me to re-read. So moved was I that I decided to write to the author to express my gratitude for penning this wonderful book. However, to my great dismay, I discovered that he had recently passed away. I was gutted. This man truly had the gift of the Blarney Stone and, in my opinion, was a true Irishman.

I absolutely loved this one. It was just a fantastically captivating read.

There were certain parts of it that remained with me for an incredibly long time. It has been years since I first read it, and yet, I still find myself randomly quoting lines from it.

These lines, of course, make no sense whatsoever to anyone who hasn't had the pleasure of experiencing Pete McCarthy's book.

It is truly a wonderfully engaging book that offers genuine humour. It's not just some strange, dry, words-on-paper imitation of a stand-up comedy routine.

Rather, it has a charm and wit that draw you in and keep you entertained from start to finish.

It's the kind of book that you can pick up again and again and still discover something new and enjoyable each time.

I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read that will make them laugh and think.