McCarthy's Bar : A Journey of Discovery in Ireland

'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

'McCarthy is a hilariously funny writer.' The Times

'An engaging, evocative book. Four out of five stars.' Daily Mail

'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

'Hilarious, informed and intelligent ... a wonderful debut. By the end, we, too, would like to move to Ireland.' Amazon.co.uk