A Pint of Plain: Tradition, Change, and the Fate of the Irish Pub

After meeting an Irishwoman in London and moving to Dublin, Bill Barich - a "blow-in," or stranger in Irish parlance - found himself looking for a traditional Irish pub to be his local. There are nearly 12,000 pubs in Ireland, so he appeared to have plenty of choices. He wanted a pub like the one in John Ford's classic movie "The Quiet Man," offering talk and drink with no distractions, but such pubs are now scarce as publicans increasingly rely on flat-screen televisions, rock music, and even Texas Hold 'Em to attract a dwindling clientele. For Barich, this signaled that something deeper was at play: an erosion of the essence of Ireland, perhaps without the Irish even being aware. 

From the famed watering holes of Dublin to tiny village pubs, Barich introduces a colorful array of characters, and, ever pursuing craic - the ineffable Irish word for a good time - engages in an unvarnished yet affectionate discussion about what it means to be Irish today.

Paperback, 252 pages