The secret of the sword: The incredible story of Dr Aidan MacCarthy

Niki MacCarthy’s quest to discover why her father returned from war with a Japanese sword uncovered a story so incredible, it’s been made into a film, writes John Meagher.

IT IS one of West Cork’s most celebrated pubs. MacCarthy’s, located in pretty Castletownbere on the Beara Peninsula. It, has been welcoming tourists and locals alike for years and its striking facade features on the dust jacket of Pete McCarthy’s celebrated travel book, MacCarthy’s Bar.

It is here that you will find Niki and Adrienne MacCarthy - and a magnificent ceremonial sword from Japan that helped lead the sisters on a hunt to uncover their father’s astonishing wartime story.