McCarthy's Bar

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. The author discovers that Ireland has changed in surprising ways. He encounters McCarthy's bars up and down the land, and meets English hippies, German musicians, married priests and many others.

---

'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. This is a funny, affectionate look at one of the most popular countries in the world.