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McCarthy's Bar: A Journey of Discovery in Ireland
 
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McCarthy's Bar: A Journey of Discovery in Ireland [Audiobook] (Audio Cassette)

by Pete McCarthy (Author, Reader)
4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (98 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Audio Cassette
  • Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Audio Books (19 Jun 2000)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1840323264
  • ISBN-13: 978-1840323269
  • Product Dimensions: 13.4 x 10.8 x 1.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (98 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 383,419 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
The premise of Pete McCarthy's first book is that you should never pass up the opportunity of having a drink in a bar that shares your name. There is clearly more to this plan than the obvious publicity stunt, since it seems to work with books as well--my favourite author is Cormac McCarthy and, after reading this hilarious, informed and intelligent book, I am tempted to buy books by every other McCarthy around.

Born in Warrington, Pete McCarthy decides to go back to rural Ireland, to rediscover his Irishness. The feeling that you have heard this sort of thing all before doesn't last for long. There is a serious writer struggling to make himself heard above the many excellent jokes and this is what makes McCarthy's book so distinctive. Although he can crack Brysonesque quips with the best of them ("I've often wondered how businessmen used to cope before [mobile phones] were invented. How did they tell their wives they were on the train?"), and take us through hilarious and largely drunken set-pieces, McCarthy is equally at home discussing Celtic standing stones and the potato famine.

The resulting book is a wonderful debut. By the end, we, too, would like to move to Ireland. You sense that McCarthy has such a genuine feeling for Ireland, Irishness and Irish history that he can only temper his writing with side-splitting humour. In this way, hisfirst book successfully embodies much of what it is to be Irish. --Toby Green --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

The Times
‘McCarthy is a hilariously funny writer' --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Customer Reviews

98 Reviews
5 star:
 (59)
4 star:
 (18)
3 star:
 (9)
2 star:
 (4)
1 star:
 (8)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (98 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Laughed until I cried...., 13 Jul 2006
By amoc72 "amoc62" (Wexford, Ireland) - See all my reviews
This review is from: McCarthy's Bar: A Journey of Discovery in Ireland (Paperback)
I have just finished reading McCarthy's Bar, having been recommended it by an English friend. Before picking it up, I thought 'oh yeah, a second-generation Paddy, going to tell us real Irish what we're like. Bring it on!'.

In all honesty, I have never, EVER laughed so loudly at the descriptions, and the perfect analysis of the Irish psyche. It's not all flattery from McCarthy - his observations on the new Celtic Tiger Ireland being particularly scathing (albeit dripping in a humour-filled sarcasm). However, he is never patronising.
He IS funny. Funny to the point of side-achingly hilarious. The Egyptian spuds, the scary B&B woman, the Christian Brothers who packed a good punch - all real situations, that turn into comic capers, once the sardonic eye of McCarthy is cast upon them.

It's also a poignant book too. Moreso for me when I realised while reading it that the author had sadly passed away in 2004. I left the book wondering if Pete McCarthy had finally found somewhere that he fitted in intrinsicly, and if there is a McCarthy's Bar beyond the pearly gates (and if it's being run by an ex-Garda or a Christian Brother with three kids!)

An excellent book. I can't reccomend it highly enough.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A nice book from a nice guy, 9 Jun 2005
By A Customer
This review is from: McCarthy's Bar: A Journey of Discovery in Ireland (Paperback)
Pete Mc Carthy wrote a couple of excellent books chronicling his travels around Ireland and further afield before his sad death from cancer last year. McCarthy's Bar & The Road to McCarthy are both well worth a read. If you like travelling, meeting interesting characters and a nice pint of Guinness then Pete McCarthy will soon become your friend.

The book isn't so much a travel guide as a humourous look at different sides of Ireland as seen through the witty eyes and ears of the late Pete. I especially enjoyed the part when he visits Lough Derg, having been there twice myself! Some other reviewers have complained about some of his observations and also his attempts at humour. While the humour in this may have been exaggerated somewhat, it IS funny, for God's sake! Those who think otherwise are probably the sort of people who don't laugh at anything, considering themselves above that sort of nonsense.
There are some genuinely funny moments and some clever turns of phrase and Mc Carthy has definitely established a real flair for storytelling in this, the first of his books.

On the frequent occasions when Pete just happens to be having a pint (again..) i wish i was on holidays. There's something extra nice about having a pint on a summer's day and not feeling guilty about it.

I thoroughly recommend Pete's books to anyone with a sense of humour.Unfortunately, his sad demise means that we won't be able to share any more of his adventures.
The world is a sadder place without him.

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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Need a good giggle?, 24 Aug 2001
This review is from: McCarthy's Bar: A Journey of Discovery in Ireland (Paperback)
This is undoubtedly one of the funniest books I have read this year. McCarthy's style is one of great wit combined with brutal honesty and the characters are eccentric and outlandish without being unbelievable. Although McCarthy constantly whinges about the about the number of tourism in Ireland I feel that 'McCarthy's Bar' could only be fully appreciated by this social group, perhaps to be viewed by the Irish themselves as stereotypical and even offensive at times. Nonetheless, being English, I enjoyed the read. The allusion to 'Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence' had me giggling to myself on the tube (much to the bemusement of other passengers). The central theme of the book - whether McCarthy belongs in England or Ireland - is perhaps its weak point. I can't help but feel that had he not spent his travels staring at people with enough intensity to recreate them on paper - or sitting in the corner of a room scribbling furiously on a notepad - he might have felt more of a part of things. Despite the fact that I often drifted in parts, the humour is enough to keep you going. I'd definitely recommend it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best I've ever read
A witty, honest and affectionate portrayal of Ireland and it's people. It would make you want to get a car and drive around Ireland following McCarty's footsteps. Read more
Published 9 days ago by Jenna Crotty

5.0 out of 5 stars Never pass a bar that has your name on it
This is a humorous - at times hilarious/laugh-out-loud funny/need to quote to the nearest person - travel book by an English man exploring his family ties to Ireland. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Oliver Redfern

4.0 out of 5 stars Raise your glasses to the late Pete Mc Carthy
Pete Mc Carthy wrote a couple of excellent books chronicling his travels around Ireland and further afield before his sad death from cancer last year. Read more
Published 14 months ago by C. Furey

5.0 out of 5 stars McCarthyism
Travel is about many things but one of the most esoteric is the idea of identity. Travel forces us all to confront and assess our own notions of identity and belonging. Read more
Published 18 months ago by James Cameron Howes

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book I've read?
Without a doubt, yes.

Pure comedy genius and, being Irish and studying in England at University, I truely appreciated the humour in all their full, idiotic,... Read more
Published 20 months ago by M. R. J. Bishop

1.0 out of 5 stars Regurgitated platitudes
How very superficial. How trite and disserving to all except Mr McCarthy and his publishers.

It is a book that everyone likes to think captures the essence of... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Justin

5.0 out of 5 stars Is this where the sandwich dressing comes from ?
Pete McCarthy was actually born Peter Charles McCarthy Robinson in Warrington, a town in the north-west of England. Read more
Published on 24 Jun 2007 by cluricaune

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully warm & witty
Buy this book. Now. This is by far one of the best books I have ever read.
The sorely missed McCarthy has created a humerous and sometimes deeply emotional account of his... Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2006 by Hamstergeddon

5.0 out of 5 stars laughed out loud
i loved this book mainly because pete has the perfect way of finding the most odd people, and putting it all into words that make you laugh and also to teach you to see further... Read more
Published on 16 Sep 2005 by gareth parker

4.0 out of 5 stars "warm, funny and friendly"
I picked up this book purely because I love Ireland with all my heart and was drawn to the front cover. I read it on holiday in Ibiza and loved it. Read more
Published on 24 Feb 2005

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