McCarthy's Bar: A Journey of Discovery in Ireland (The Hungry Student)

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

'In its freewheeling, informal, jokey way, it is nothing less than an portrait of modern Ireland, in all its splendid contradictions. For a study on Ireland and Irishness, the book is exhilaratingly cosmopolitan in outlook ... Television's loss has been literature's gain.'
Telegraph

'Pete McCarthy is a funny man. You will know this if you have seen his award-winning television work or heard him on the radio ... It is impossible to mention comic travels without bringing up the name of Bill Bryson. McCarthy is more to my liking: less smug, delivering more of a sense that he actually noticed the places he passed through without making them seem a freak show. And funny enough to have my neighbours pulling long faces as I sniggered on the Tube the other day.'
Sunday Times

'A genuinely funny, yet affectionate and informative portrait of the west of Ireland. His book is a collection of wry observations and anecdotes, a skill he developed presenting eight series of Travelog on Channel 4 ... I can guarantee a read that will make you laugh out loud'
Sussex Life

'Comedian and broadcaster McCarthy takes a hysterical journey through the Ireland of his childhood. An extremely enjoyable book that had me rolling with laughter one minute and deep in thought the next'
The Latest (Brighton)

'McCarthy is a hilariously funny writer'
The Times

'Travel books these days are two a penny, but McCarthy's really is a volume to savour. The people of whom he writes will surely appreciate his sharp eye and gentle humour, and the natural beauty which he finds so awe-inspiring cannot but fail to impress even the most world-weary traveller.'
Books Magazine

'Highly entertaining ... hilarious. A five star book'
Rí-Rá

'After reading this hilarious, informed and intelligent book, I am tempted to buy books by every other McCarthy around. This 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 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, his first book successfully embodies much of what it is to be Irish.'
Amazon.co.uk

'McCarthy chronicles his drunken voyage with humour and insight, the people he meets are portrayed with sensitivity and wit. He has an ear for dialogue, but also a love of Ireland and Irish history. This comes across as a lot more than a gimmicky travel book, but as genuinely well written and very funny, managing to balance humour and observation in tight and witty prose'
WH Smiths online