The Toxic Travel Guide: Ireland as You’ve Never Seen It Before

by Frankie McNamara

Ireland’s Instagram sensation Meditations for the Anxious Mind takes us on a trip around Ireland of the likes you’ve never seen before, from the trolley-filled Liffey to the glamour of Navan. Ever been curious about Limerick’s ancient mysteries or wondered what secrets Drogheda might hold? Well now you can visit the trolleys in the Liffey from the comfort of your armchair and learn the lesser-known facts about Ireland’s greatest dumps. Did you know that there’s no crime in Stoneybatter, because every time a fixie gets stolen they just say it happened in Cabra? Did you know people from Galway have a genetic defect that makes them think they built Supermacs themselves? Did you know that no one in Cork City can remember anyone’s name, which is why Corkonians are either called ‘bai’, ‘kid’ or ‘girl’? Why not go off the beaten track with Meditations for the Anxious Mind’s Toxic Travel Guide and laugh your way around Ireland. We did the research so you don’t have to smell the bin juice.

Genres: Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

Published April 11, 2023

Reviews

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

In each chapter one of the Irish counties is being slagged, so you definitely need to be native of Ireland to understand any of this.
I ended up skipping the counties I never visited as it was basically just reading a lot of nonsense which is possibly only funny if you have any affinity with the place.
Having said that, it’s not like I was rolling around laughing at the Cavan, Dublin or Cork chapters.

[Don Jimmy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thought this was hilarious for the first few pages but it got old very fast.

[Sarah M · Rating 2 out of 5]

thank fuck

[Oliver · Rating 2 out of 5]

"There are many nooks and crannies to be found in the underbelly of Irish culture. Many of them fascinating, most of them disgusting, all of them found in these pages. Sorry about that."

I couldn't finish this. I'm sorry. I just got so bored. If you are not Irish, don't ever think of getting this. I'm Irish but I haven't really explored the country as much as I would want to, and I didn't really get it. Sure, it's creative, and also, it is fucking hilarious. But when you're trying to read this like how you're supposed to read and actual book, it's really fucking boring. If you are getting this book, the way I recommend is reading the parts you're interested in, because all the other places you would be confused.

And, no, I won't be counting this as an overall book I've watched. I would be putting in my ranked list of my 2023 reads, though.

Spoiler alert: it won't be high up.

[Frank O’Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I should issue a warning! Be careful reading this book in public as I did - on a flight to London last week! Laughing out loud like a lunatic I was. The other travellers must have thought I was nuts. “This book is hilarious” I tried to tell them although they looked dubious having already put me in the “he’s nuts” file.

Seriously though - the foreword is one of the funniest things I’ve read and it sustains the standard of quirky innovative writing throughout. I’m already looking forward to a sequel!

[James Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of the very few books I read in my life l, this is the best book I've ever read. I never knew about the spiritual history of Ireland, the wonders of the trolleys in the liffey to the glamorous fields of naval, brilliant.

[Puls3width · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is too fucking funny. Genuinely even if you don't live in the certain areas he talks about you still find yourself in tears.

P.S the Dundalk one is true.

[Conor Sheehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pure gas. I laughed out loud multiple times. Frankie is a national treasure. Protect him at all costs.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Frankie's style of writing. He's very clever. But it's difficult to stay engaged with the descriptions of small Irish places. It feels a little like "you had to be there"...

[Tracey · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. This type of humour isn't for me.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me rethink life

[lvd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun(ny) read. I'm not from Ireland, but Frankie's absurd sense of humor is enjoyable. I did feel like the jokes started to become a bit repetitive (e.g. "Nightlife: No.), but it was easy and silly and just what I needed.