MCCARTHY'S HOTEL

Established

McCarthy's was established in the 1850s by Richard McCarthy as a 'spirit merchant, restaurant, hotel, undertaker, draper, grocer, baker, hackney service, glass, delph and china shop' — a single Main Street operation answering to most of Fethard's daily needs.

Family

Five generations of the same family. The present proprietor, Vincent Murphy — known to all as Jasper — is the fifth generation running pub, restaurant and undertaker side-by-side.

Earlier uses

The undertaker's hearses are parked in the former livery stables out the back. The ground-floor rooms have served, at various times, as bar, restaurant, grocer's, hotel reception, and funeral arranger's office.

Rituals

Tradition holds that the same bar tab can — has, on occasion — covered the wake.

Signature drink

'We wine you, dine you, and bury you.' McCarthy's catchphrase, and a literal description of the premises.

Reputation

Beloved across Tipperary as a true rural Irish institution. When urban journalists need to make a point about pubs as community, this is the pub they profile.