Location : Cleveland, OH
The subtitle of this book tells you what this Irish travel book is all about. And that is what drew me to it.
Contents:
The first round
Dublin on tap
Beer and politics
Blood is thicker than Guinness
Love at first pint
Pub town
Heading north
The holy mountain
A land of pubs and poets
Last drinks
Australian, Evan McHugh, travels to Ireland to meet some friends. On the ferry over to Dublin from Wales, he and his travelling companion "Twidkiwodm" (the-woman-I-didn't-know-I-would-one-day-marry), aka Michelle, have their first Guinness. It was not a very good experience (but it sure was funny to read). Debarking, they are told that the Guinness served on the ferry is about the worst in the world. Their friends take them to a couple of pubs in Dublin, including the Guinness Factory Tour. Whilst sitting in a Dublin pub, they are told that the best Guinness is found on west side of Ireland. Off they go, looking for the best Guinness and the result is Pint Sized Ireland: In Search of the Perfect Guinness.
Travelling cheaply, hitchhiking and sleeping in hostels, McHugh provides a wonderful travelogue of Ireland. That he is looking for the "perfect Guinness" makes this even sweeter. Travelling from town to town, asking about the best Guinness, experiencing some of Ireland's best (but maybe not so well known) sites, and picking up books from local writers (Yeats is one). Interspersed throughout the book, McHugh includes words from the writers to explain some of his experiences. It adds a lot to the book.
This book really makes me want to visit Ireland. No matter where he goes, be it Dublin, Westport, Sligo, or Belfast, the people are friendly, kind, and humorous. At each stop, either the barman or someone in the pub tells McHugh where he can find the best pint of Guinness (hint: it is always somewhere else). It is in a pub in Belfast, his last stop, where a patron begins to tell him where he can find the best pint. Stopping the man, McHugh tells him where you can find the best Guinness in Ireland. He drank for free the rest of the evening. Yes, the answer was that good, that true. And after reading this book, I agree (if you ask, I will tell you where).
By the way, if you have ever learned some Gaelic from Paul, you can pick up some more reading this book. Really important Gaelic.
An excellent travelogue, especially if you love "moother's milk."
Slainte!
Technorati tag: book review Evan McHugh
Comment posted by Duffbert07/08/2007 11:19:31 PM
Homepage: http://www.twduff.com
OK... *that* one just went on the library hold list. :)
Comment posted by Gregg Eldred07/11/2007 06:16:49 PM
Homepage: http://www.ns-tech.com/blog/geldred.nsf
LOL! I am truly sorry to add to the list.
Comment posted by Paul Mooney07/15/2007 02:02:43 PM
Homepage: http://www.pmooney.net
Well... you will have to put it to the test at ilug2008!
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