The Parting Glass : A Toast to the Traditional Pubs of Ireland (Irish Pubs) Hardcover – January 1, 2006

This is another great book about Irish pubs that is similar to "The Irish Pub" by Turtle Bunbury. However, this book predates the other by two years. For more info please read my review of the other book. I do not think this book is as good as "The Irish Pub" because some pictures seem to go for more of an art photography feel rather than trying to get the scope of what a true Irish pub is.In my opinion you should get both. I am building a pub in my house and both books have been useful. "The Parting Glass" title refers to the old Irish traditional ballad of the same name. Unfortunately this book suffers in the same area as "The Irish Pub" in that it does not include any pubs from the Donegal area of Ireland.

I would normally give this book four stars. Couldn't give it five because there is no table of contents or index. The two stars are to get you to look at the caveat below.All of what the five-star reviews say is true, so I won't repeat any of that. It is indeed a loving and lovely book.How much of this material is current after 7+ years is a question, but I knew that going in.What I did NOT know, is that this book covers a lot of Dublin and much of the traditional tourist areas. It does not cover County Donegal or Northern Ireland at all. If this is the part of Ireland you are interested in, don't bother with this book.

This book is the inspiration for my decision to open a truly authentic traditional Irish Pub.

A lovely pictorial of pubs in Ireland. Inspirational for travelers or tavern owners.

Great book if you're planning a trip to Ireland or if you just want to enjoy a pint in your own living room!

Great photography. Great for Irish conversation. Makes a great gift.

When I'm in Ireland -- which isn't nearly enough -- I try to avoid the trendy new pubs and stick to the joints where the local people go, where you're still likely to find a session in the corner, where the food is simple but hearty, and where the Guinness is pulled with pride.Eric Roth, a Boston-based photographer, pays tribute to the "real" Irish pubs of Ireland in "The Parting Glass." Of course, there are thousands upon thousands of pubs to choose from, and the book had limited space, so after exhaustive research (read: going to lots of pubs) he picked 43 representative establishments to capture on film. Eileen McNamara, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Boston Globe columnist, went along for the trip and provided the text to support Roth's images.Of course, I have my own favorite spots in Ireland, and sadly, they're not included here. And yet, of the 43 pictured, I've been to only a handful, and they ALL look a delight!The book includes numerous large, colorful photos of pub facades and pub interiors. Too, you'll find distinctive pub signs and unique pub decor. Better yet, you'll see people manning taps and hoisting pints, people who make up Ireland's traditional pub scene as much as the Guinness-stained tables, peat fires, live music and pleasant conversation.There are city pubs and country pubs, ornate pubs and plain, crowded and empty. Roth's photos are gorgeous, rich in color, detail and personality. McNamara's narrative is equally colorful, informative and evocative of the pub experience. Combined, they create a desire to dive through the pages, take a seat and order a pint.

This book made a wonderful gift for my husband this Christmas. He and I went to Ireland a few years ago to see a U2 concert at Slane castle. To this day, it remains one of my favorite vacations of all times, and this book rekindled those wonderful memories. So much so, that after browsing through the pages together, my husband and I are planning a return trip "across the pond" as a gift to each other! We're even planning some of our itenerary around these cool cities and pubs.The photos are just beautiful and so are the stories of the owners, the bartenders, the patrons and pub histories. Neat facts are tucked in between the pages, making it more than a photo essay -- I learned that a special place called a "Snug" exists in the older pubs, where the women used to share a pint or two without the companyof men.If you are looking for an unusual and thoughtful gift, I recommend this book. It would make a wonderful father's day gift, (or mother's day gift!), it would be great as a birthday present, a graduation present, a coffee table book for a new homeowner, or for any other occassion where you want to raise a pint in celebration. Cheers!

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