McCarthy’s is in the middle of the medieval town of Fethard, at the heart of the equine scene in Tipperary with numerous trainers and breeders dotted around nearby.
Very little has changed since it was established in the 1850's by Richard McCarthy, when McCarthy’s Hotel provided the services of a spirit merchant, restaurant, hotel, undertaker, draper, grocer, baker, hackney service, glass, delph and china shop, with a few horses for hire to boot.
Continuing in this tradition the present proprietor, Vincent Murphy (known to all as Jasper) is the fifth generation running the pub, restaurant and undertaker business with his family. This multi functioning role is summed up by their catchphrase ‘We wine you, dine you and bury you’.
It may take a minute of blinking for your eyes to adjust to the interior of McCarthy’s, it is dark and cosy from all the timber, lit by oil lamps, with rattan stools & benches along the bar counter. Pictures of those two Tipperary obsessions abound, G.A.A players and horses, among other treasures.
The shop feel of the bar is obvious to the front of the bar with counters running on either side, the back bars are filled with grocery shelving, drawers & cabinetry advertising Fry’s chocolate and the like. Traditional stained glass screens are found between the bar, shop counters and front windows, with gorgeous snugs to sink into.
There's more seating to the back, with wood panelled walls and light more conducive to eating, where good pub fare is the order of the day.
Expect steak sandwiches, chicken curries and daily specials often taking advantage of the excellent local beef. McCarthy’s take pride in sourcing their produce as locally as possible; the meat is from their butcher's own herd in Mullinahone; cheese from Grubb’s farm, producers of Cashel Blue Cheese, four miles from their front door, and beer produced in Co Tipperary on tap as well, from the White Gypsy Brewery in Templemore.
McCarthy’s is a real gem and a piece of old Ireland, where you'll find a good pint, a bite to eat - a useful place where you can get anything from a coffee to a casket.
