The ‘Irish Car Bomb’ pie sold by Cutie Pies NYC and profiled on IrishCentral last week swirled up a storm of media across the Atlantic in Ireland, also calling attention and outrage to the popularity of the drink of the same name in the United States.
In response to the IrishCentral article on the ‘Irish Car Bomb’ pie sold by Cutie Pies NYC, Belfast Telegraph columnist Lindy McDowell asked, “What is wrong with these people — the woman who sees no harm or hurt in her vile wee buns and the people who eagerly snap them up?
“Needless to say your woman has Irish forefathers which makes it OK presumably to flog a not-so-cutie-pie named after an infernal device which ripped apart the lives of thousands of men, women and children in Ireland,” McDowell wrote.
Alice Cronin of Cutie Pies NYC told IrishCentral she didn’t anticipate the negative reaction and resulting media coverage, as the ‘Irish Car Bomb’ is a wildly popular cocktail in the United States.
“The Irish car bomb pie was named after the bar drink, as shorthand to convey the dessert’s ingredients, nothing more,” Cronin told IrishCentral. "Because of the drink’s and cupcakes’ popularity in the U.S., we didn’t expect such a reaction.
“We regret any pain the name may have caused, and have renamed the pie to reflect the alcohols used to flavor each layer,” Cronin told IrishCentral. “Ultimately, Cutie Pies NYC is out to make pie—not political statements. Our goal is, and always has been, to inspire smiles (not frowns) by providing our clientele with quality, handcrafted baked goods.”
"Ordering an ‘Irish Car Bomb’ — the drink on which the pie flavor was based— is comparable to ordering a ‘9/11 cocktail," McDowell wrote in her column.
The comparison is one often made. As IrishCentral previously reported, Willie Frazer, spokesman for Fair, an IRA victims group, has stated: "I would have expected Americans, of all people, to behave more sensitively and responsibly. How would they like it if we developed the Al-Qaeda car bomb, the Twin Towers cocktail, or the 9/11 ice cream sundae?"
McDowell took the popularity of the drink in the United States, and the failure of most who order or serve it to comprehend how it might be perceived as offensive, as an indication of something “stomach-turning” in American culture.
“The fact that calling food and drink after a mass murder weapon is seen as a bit of a joke there — a clever marketing device even — does say something,” McDowell wrote.
Photo: Laura Bryn Sisson. Sign for Irish pies now appearing at Cutie Pie
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.canadianirish | Aug 07, 2012, 03:58 PM EDT
@Clancey - you hit the nail on the head. It's more a matter of ignorance than anything else. Heck, when I visit the US, many Americans still think we have snow 365 days of the year here in Toronto and on a recent visit a group of Floridians thought Toronto was located in the North Pole. It's a very insular society. Sad, really.
seanomelb | Aug 06, 2012, 07:11 PM EDT
I know more about Dublin and walked its streets when your Ar#ce was the size of a shirt button.
samsams | Aug 06, 2012, 06:01 PM EDT
I am really not offended by this, it's just a name, it's not referring to any particular event or loss of life. Similarly I would not be offended by pie named British military rifle. God knows why a pie would be named that like, but my point stands. There are plenty of things to get upset about in todays world but this is not one of them.
johndaly | Aug 06, 2012, 02:49 PM EDT
who cares it a classic case of the tail wagging the dog , any way its no were as vile as the anti irish bile we have to put up with from the orange order and their friends
ancavker | Aug 06, 2012, 12:02 PM EDT
ciara: Most kids from The U.S. or the U.K., or Australia would have much in common with the Irish kids, as the Irish kids all very much love U.S./U.K. pop culture.
Murph46 | Aug 06, 2012, 10:44 AM EDT
Ms.Gall is right,a new name is called for-How about an Brit Get Out!
Clancey | Aug 06, 2012, 09:44 AM EDT
I saw a local cupcake shop selling "Irish Car Bomb" cupcakes and asked why they had named one of their products after terrorism. The young woman owner looked stupefied, and said "It's not terrorism, it's after a drink." I gave her a short history lesson," and she just repeated "It's after a drink." I said "You can't think for yourself?" Same thing when a local coffee place was serving "Black and Tan" drinks on St. Patrick's Day (some of my relations were burned out of their homes by the Tans). At least they had the decency to change the name. People are absolutely without a clue about history.
ciaradexy | Aug 06, 2012, 06:52 AM EDT
Sean, I dont hate Yanks, just the dumb ones of which theres a majority on this site. Youre more Aussie than the Aussies! Youve lived there longer than you ever did here!Ah sure Im only in Connemara at the weekends. My house is in Connemara but I rent in Dublin. And you live where and holiday where? You pay taxes where? How long have you lived there and how long did you live here? Your kids are very much Aussies too. Theyd have nothing in common with irish kids. 20k further and Id just be in Mayo! Sirp, youre dead right! Few commented on the case of the American raping the Irish girl in japan or about the yanks wearing tricolour cleats at this ND game! ''Oirish'' when it suits, wha!? Well done on the football yesterday by the way.
seanomelb | Aug 05, 2012, 08:39 PM EDT
Ciara sure hates Irish Americans and Irish living outside of Ireland. You moved to Connemara Ciara!! you should have gone 20 kilometers further.
sirpeter | Aug 05, 2012, 06:40 PM EDT
As usual our Irish American brothers/sisters go into hiding when it comes to an article about some stupid American.Only eleven Comments!!
BigDaddy | Aug 05, 2012, 04:12 PM EDT
How disrespectful can you lot be?...Very. Unfortunately, the same people who would get the most upset over something named after 9/11 are most likely the people who would never understand why this bothers people in Ireland. How revealing is that?
TayandCake | Aug 05, 2012, 12:42 PM EDT
its not the best of names, what response would i receive if I sold a saudi hijacker cocktail or a bin laden bagel or a jedward salad
ciaradexy | Aug 05, 2012, 10:45 AM EDT
I might start selling 9/11 burgers. I can pretend the bits of bacon and cheese sticking out the sides are dead people. How disrespectful can you lot be?
Ms.Gail | Aug 05, 2012, 09:58 AM EDT
I agree that a new name is more appropriate. I understand there was an uproar when Devil's Food Cake joined the ranks of desserts and it was as offensive to people of it's time as this is to ours. Like the idea of renaming instead of becoming more jaded. Wouldn't mind an Irish Mead Honey Pie.
citizen69 | Aug 05, 2012, 06:11 AM EDT
One thing is for sure, Irish Central weren't outraged or offended (for once) when they published the original story. It was in their Food & Drink section and they gave it a wonderful review... Quote:"IrishCentral.com nabbed the last slice. The bitterness of the Guinness worked especially well in the chocolate ganache, adding real sophistication.".
seanomelb | Aug 04, 2012, 07:00 PM EDT
get over it Lynn and move on.
Lynn | Aug 04, 2012, 04:27 PM EDT
I am an American , and I am totally appalled that someone could be so insensitive !As one of your comments said , it would like Ireland naming a pie or drink 9-11 . Absolutely ridiculous . I`m glad at least Cutie Pies apologized !
merefalow | Aug 04, 2012, 03:40 PM EDT
if you lost loved ones to a car bomb,it has to be offensive,its a pity that all the millions of people ,innocent people killed by the great powers,armed by the great powers,and called casually, collateral casualtys cant apologise for all the cute names they give their killing machines.some examples,stalins organs,little fat boy,the jolly green giant,the eqaliser ,puff the magic dragon.etc etc.
eileenkny | Aug 04, 2012, 12:12 PM EDT
I think it's shameful that we have trivialized this weapon of the Troubles to a dessert and an alcoholic drink. It speaks to the stereotype of the drunken Irish. Shame on those that look to exploit the pain in the North.
cillowen | Aug 04, 2012, 10:40 AM EDT
if it contains guinness then its English Car Bomb pie. Herr Guinness arrived in Ireland in late 1970s with his poisonous controlling elixer.