"Today, West Cork is a glamorous destination, a haven for upmarket tourists, but in the 1950s it was the arse end of the back of beyond - and that may be talking it up". Pete McCarthy was born in Warrington to an Irish mother and an English father and spent happy summer holidays in Cork. Years later, reflecting on the many places he has visited as a travel broadcaster, Pete admits that he feels more at home in Ireland than anywhere. To find out whether this is due to rose-coloured spectacles or to a deeper tie with the country of his ancestors, Pete sets off on a trip around Ireland and discovers that it has changed in surprising ways. Firstly obeying the rule "never pass a pub with your name on it", he encounters McCarthy's bars up and down the land, and meets English hippies, German musicians, married priests and many others. A funny, affectionate look at one of the most popular countries in the world.

About the Author

Pete McCarthy is the writer and performer of many series for radio and television, including 'Desperately Seeking Something', 'Country Tracks' and 'Travelog', for which he has won the Travelex Award for Best TV Writer. MCCARTHY'S BAR is his first book.

Reviews

Fans of Bill Bryson will enjoy reading McCarthy's droll narrative of his rediscovery of his family's roots in Ireland. Winner of the Travelex Award for Best TV Travel Writer, BBC personality McCarthy takes the reader on an odyssey through Ireland, where he unfailingly obeys his rule: "Never Pass a Bar That Has Your Name On It." The son of an Irishwoman and an Englishman, McCarthy spent many idyllic summers in the Emerald Isle and here revisits places he remembers from his youth. Traversing rural areas from Cork to Donegal, McCarthy observes that although much has changed, the Irish people of his childhood have not. Humorous and history-laden, McCarthy's debut is already a No. 1 best seller in the land of his forefathers and is sure to be popular in public libraries.DSandy Knowles,, Henderson Cty. P.L., NC Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

'The funniest book I've read this year' -- John Walsh, Independent 'McCarthy is a hilariously funny writer' -- The Times 'An engaging, evocative book.' -- Daily Mail 'In its freewheeling, informal, jokey way, it is nothing less than a portrait of modern Ireland, in all its splendid contradictions' -- Daily Telegraph 'An acutely observed and often hilarious series of snapshots of a country that can induce an onrush of sentimental cliche' -- Sunday Times