Because of rereading the hilarious book McCarthy's Bar I headed for the one in Castletownbear. It had just been awarded the pub of the year for all of Ireland-deservedly so. It is now run by two sisters Nicky and Adrienne. The front part has various grocery items for sale. There is a little nook where deals were made. Then there is the main bar where I met Verena and Sacha from Germany who had got engaged that day. They loved Ireland and were relocating there.
Right at the back was a room where I found out too late that they were playing bridge that night.
In the book the author has a great drinking session going onto a party from there. Everyone was so friendly but after a couple of drinks I was too tired despite Adrienne offering me a drink.
Their father who is now dead wrote a book which has now been made into a film. He was imprisoned by the Japanese and when the war ended he prevented the other inmates from killing the commandant who gave him his sword. I had a look at it- it is very sharp.