Ireland thu a differnt pair of eyes. (McCarthy's Bar - Pete McCarthy)

Member Name: welshwolf

Product:	McCarthy's Bar - Pete McCarthy
Date:	01/12/01 (220 review reads)
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Pete McCarthy was born Irish but has spent most of his life in England. He therefore decides to do a tour of Ireland and visit a number of places including a number of places that he visited as a child on family holidays.

The book is billed on the front as 'The funniest book I've read this year' by John Walsh of the Independent. Whilst there were some rib ticklers I would not go as far as to say its that good.

The book does give a good incite into the booming southern Ireland and the crac that?s available. It also shows how sad to me it is that this country is being swamped by non-Irish people buying up the cheap houses and in a lot of cases living off the state. AS the book states one of the biggest exports of Ireland over the years has been the people. But things are now changing and now Ireland is attracting skilled people which is good, fellow Celts an all.

McCarthy stays in a variety of B&B?s some of which I would love to visit just to meet the people. The most interesting part I found was at the latter part of the book where McCarthy goes on a religious visit to Lough Derg where they pay to walk around the Island bare footed chanting and fasting. It just shows how insecure mankind still is that people are cuing up for this experience. His account was funny and bought back memories of his childhood.

The book also highlights the poverty and pain that has been in Ireland and the mass graves etc due to the potato famine and lack of work.

If you want a tourists guide to Ireland this is not the one but it gives to me a fair view of Ireland and you will snigger uncontrollably at points. Three out of five at times a bit slow.

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