Urban Outfitters' St. Patrick's Day products, including a trucker’s cap illustrated with a drunk vomiting shamrocks and a “Leprechaun P***” beer jug have, angered the Irish community in the United States and Ireland.
Yesterday, our reporter Cahir O’Doherty brought to light how yet again this year is “another Saint Patrick’s Day that will be marked in what some here are calling a deeply culturally offensive manner by another big box U.S. retailer.”
Their “insulting tribute to Saint Patrick’s Day” has now caught the interest and piqued the anger of Irish publications and broadcasters, as well as the Irish American community and the US Irish Anti-Defamation Federation.
IrishCentral posted a poll asking “Do you think Urban Outfitters should be forced to pull this St. Patrick's Day line and apologize to the Irish community?” From the 500 responses, 82 percent voted in favor of the products being withdrawn and the company apologizing.
In Ireland, Joe.ie’s article on the topic said, “If there’s one thing that us Irish people are good at, it’s laughing at ourselves but has one American clothing line taken it just a tad bit too far?”
They pointed out how annoying it is to have “other people make fun of us” and said “if they don’t start being more careful they could seriously start to offend us all.”
Urban Outfitters has several large outlets in Ireland.
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Read more:
Drunks vomiting shamrocks feature in top US store clothing line - POLL
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A concerned IrishCentral reader, William Moore, emailed Urban Outfitters to share his “total revulsion” for the trucker hat illustrated in yesterday’s article.
He said, “Debasing a race of people, the Irish, in this manner is inconceivable in this modern day. What is next? Posting NINA signs in your windows? I wonder how your employees of Irish ancestry feel about your latest edition.”
Moore went on to say that he and his five children, who are young adults, would be boycotting the store. Other readers had similar feelings.
Readers of the Irish news aggregator Broadsheet.ie had similar views, saying “that’s not cool” and “what’s worse is that they call it Patty’s Day”.
Kathy Dougherty-Gessler posted the article to the Irish Anti-Defamation Facebook page saying “Once again we are OK to attack and slander”. The group plan to release an official statement on the matter.
As historian Michael Lavery said, while speaking to the Irish Voice, “If you allow others to cheapen your culture like this they will find it easier to overlook you in every other sphere, from politics to culture. Urban Outfitters are trafficking in out of date stereotypes that have been used to diminish the Irish for centuries and I’m sorry to see it still happening in 2012.”
Last year, Old Navy stocked Irish themed tshirts for St. Patrick’s Day which were also offensive to the Irish community. They included tshirts with slogans such as “Irish I was drunk” on the front.
After a public outcry, the company stated “We recognize these t-shirts went too far and we sincerely apologize to the Irish community for any offense caused. We are removing all units from the stores and online as soon as physically possible.”
Urban Outfitters could well be forced to do the same. As yet they have not been available for comment. Their head office is in Philadelphia at (215) 454-5500 and their website is www.urbanoutfittersinc.com.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.RosCrea | Jun 23, 2012, 04:04 PM EDT
I find it insulting and disgusting that these types of t-shirts are not just being sold but being made! Are the workers who make these shirts and caps proud of what they are doing? NO it is NOT ok to insult the whole Irish race. Defending these companies is outrageous and shameful. I say to all my fellow Irish men and women to stand up and contact all these companies who make and sell these offensive clothes and express your outrage!
ciaradexy | Mar 03, 2012, 03:59 PM EST
Kathle, I live in Ireland! Its a well known fact that the Irish drink way too much. There is no way you can deny or dispute this. Ancavker, Its appalling here. If yu dont drink, theres not many other options. I started a course last Tuesday with The Rise Foundation. Its for people with loved ones in addiction. My mam is an alcoholic and some of the stories I heard from the other attendees were horrific. Its not right.
KathleFlan | Feb 28, 2012, 09:57 PM EST
I think it is pretty offensive that Urban Outfitters is making TRUCKER hats and linking them to Irish culture. Trucker hats were hideous 10 years ago and they are hideous now. Oh and ciaradexy, you sound like a complete idiot with your "that is a fact" statement. Your comment is very clearly an opinion and that, my dear, is a fact.
ancavker | Feb 27, 2012, 11:31 AM EST
ciara: Well look at that something we both agree on!!! The Irish do drink too much and too often, and that includes the Irish in America as well. Although I believe in Ireland it is even worse.
oldboreen | Feb 26, 2012, 05:54 AM EST
Chill folks!!!! Don't buy this rubbish-simple!
GaelMcC | Feb 25, 2012, 07:05 PM EST
The aboriginals in Australia demanded an apology for decades, Kevin Rudd finally gave it to them. Obama travels the globe apologizing for America. He lately apologizes for the military burning defaced Korans which is a Muslim sanctioned way to destroy defaced Korans, and now we want an apology for these appalling tee shirts. What is this "The age of apolgists" Forget the apology,there is nothing magic about an apology, have them pull the ^%$# line. If they depicted blacks or Muslims in such a fashion there would be riots already.
ciaradexy | Feb 25, 2012, 11:06 AM EST
Galway, youll see from these posts that the Irish dont have an issue with these slogans. Its Americans who do so boycott all you like. The Irish drink too much and too often. Thats a fact.
galway2001 | Feb 24, 2012, 08:19 PM EST
every irish in this world lets boycot the store they would not do that to black people ,jewish people,spanish,people lets put them out of business.how dare they and who are the 20% they have to be a bunch of morans, no morals what goes around comes around it will backfire on that store,so lets go people boycot the store
ciaradexy | Feb 24, 2012, 04:41 PM EST
Its amusing that George Dillon is complaining about these t- shirts, migrants working in the shops where they are sold and previously he was complaining about vomit all over Temple Bar and he said migrants were scrounging off the tax payer! A constant torrent of contradictions! Whats next?! Who knows!? It gets better!
ciaradexy | Feb 24, 2012, 04:27 PM EST
Ancavker,theres no law that states all Irish people have to have an interest in irish music. Plenty of people dont like the music I like but I dont get offended by it. Music is subjective as is having an interest in culture, language or history. This website is called 'Irish central' not 'Irish-America' central. yeah George, Im quite sure that you, the eternal tourist knows everything there is to know about Ireland and the irish. Youre the Yoda of all things irish! Well done you! yay!
GeorgeDillon | Feb 24, 2012, 03:54 PM EST
ancavker: You're right. How could you hope to match curdexter. She has an opinion about everything and knowledge about nothing. I too am an Irish citizen but how could I hope to match curdexter's knowledge of the US, Ireland, Mars ....
ancavker | Feb 24, 2012, 03:45 PM EST
Ciara: There you go again. You are right (of course!!!), and I am wrong. As for my circle of friends and family in Ireland they are quite proud of the culture including the music; they are the ones who get grief from their friends. I am more than capable of differentiating when a term is used in an endearing or derogatory manner. On another note if you have such contempt for those in America who call themselves Irish-Americans whether born there or not, why do you visit this site?
ciaradexy | Feb 24, 2012, 03:07 PM EST
Ancavker, the s-word youre talking about is not always used in a negative derogatory manner. Maybe you should improve your circle of friends when you are here. Plenty of mine are very into and interested in their own culture.
ancavker | Feb 24, 2012, 03:01 PM EST
The only Irish people I have found in Ireland or the U.S. who use the term diddly ay use it in a derogatory manner and with contempt. They also refer to it as that ou'l..... (fill in the five letter word, starts with an s) I know, I know nothing nothing modern Ireland. I was only born there, and go back every year, and have deep connections with the place. What do I know, Ciara knows all, Ireland, America, England, Irish-Americans and on it goes.
ciaradexy | Feb 24, 2012, 02:44 PM EST
Ancavker, you make it sound like the term 'Diddy ay' is a negative thing. Its a type of music so its not negative in that sense but it can be used to describe 'tweeness' which is very different. My friends and i are heading out for a bitta 'Diddly-ay' this evening with our italian mates who are over from the rugby and i can assure you there will be nothing negative about it.
ancavker | Feb 24, 2012, 01:21 PM EST
To whom it may concern: Well you proved what I always suspected. Interesting how you claim to love Ireland and its culture, and yet you refer to Irish music as diddly-ay stuff. Very interesting indeed. Manchester United no problem, deep connection with Ireland and the Irish, but Irish music is diddly ay.And please don't tell me us meant it affectionately, the tone and content of your post proves otherwise. And what exactly should we Irish here in the U.S. care about as far as contemporary Irish society. As I have said numerous times the Irish in Ireland today slavishly copy the worst of American and English popular culture. We have that in the U.S. no need to go to Ireland for that. As far as caring about the Irish in Ireland today, as Mr. Kenny said the people went mad and I would add now they are paying for it. And of course droning on forever about how bad the U.S. and Americans are;it's tiresome. One thing the modern day Irish could have lost and did not, and in fact its worse now then ever in my opinion is the begrudgery. They have perfected that. Anyhow there will be lots of diddly ay stuff here in the NYC area over the next few weeks, and those of us who love it and there are thousands including many with no connection to Ireland at all will be taking it all in, and in many cases participating in it. Oh and as much as so many Irish in Ireland cringe when they hear any one here talk about Riverdance, news flash, that show did more to uplift the reputation of the Irish throughout the world than anything else.
Townline | Feb 24, 2012, 12:06 PM EST
If there was at least an irish company making this crap and employing a few people back in ireland it might not seem as bad.but all this stuff comes in from china, so whose really having the last laugh
Kerryman11 | Feb 24, 2012, 10:42 AM EST
As an Irish born American Citizen, get a life you fools! It is all in fun. I am not the least offended. I would be offended if the stuff was not funny. Some Americans with Irish ancestry take this "being Irish" way too far. Hey folks, you are Americans with family connections to Ireland, period. Have a nice day.
IrelandNorth | Feb 24, 2012, 06:00 AM EST
Shure an' faith an' begorragh, RedBranch! 'tis called cultural colonisation. 'tis a re-imported perception of ourselves through the retro eyes of Irish-American immigrants. Incidentally, a perception I consider more accurate than through an historically revisionist post-colonial paradigm. GeorgeDillon! I agree entirely. Arthur (the farter) got to patent the symbol of the harp before the Irish state did, hence the cultural confusion. Love the Carroll's Irish gift stores, though personally avoid their G... Depts. Murph46! Maith a fear (phon. moth ha far)/good on ya/kick ass! BillTobin! Good on ya too! Gaelphoncan! As an Addiction Counsellor, statistical evidence illustrates that the English have a higher degree of alcoholism than the Irish. Moreover, as a Leinster-Irishman from south-Dublin in my mid-50's, I contend that Irish-Americans are actually more Irish than the mild-colonial boys from the 26 counties.
Gaelphoncán | Feb 24, 2012, 02:03 AM EST
The delay in messages being sent to this forum really does my head in. I wish somebody would make it easier to post to this site. Why does it "take several minutes for your comment to appear" (often more like a half an hour)? I'm never sure whether my message has been sent or not. Yeah, I know, 'should' instead of 'shuld' and and I would have preferred to write 'know little about' rather than 'have little knowledge about'. I wish this site made it easier to correct your mistakes.
Gaelphoncán | Feb 24, 2012, 01:45 AM EST
A Éamoinn12, a chara, as an 'actual Irish person', you're probably incapable of understanding that the ACTUAL ethnic Irish in America want to move beyond the stereoptype of them as raging p__sheads (Urban Outfitters are taking the p__s out of the ethnic Irish in America more than they are anyone else). Sadly, like many IBABs, you most likely have little knowledge about the history and experience of the ethnic Irish in America and the prejudice and negative stereotypes that they've had to put up with. There's no doubt that we Irish, in Ireland and among the children of the diaspora, have a tendency towards alcohol abuse, be it genetic or cultural. I doubt there's any ethnic Irish person in America or in Ireland that I know who hasn't got someone is his/her (extended) family with a drink problem. Paddy's Day in post-Catholic Ireland has long ceased being a holy day and is now only an excuse for a huge p__s-up. On Paddy's Day in Dublin it's normal to see preteenaged kids legless with drink. Anyone who has worked in a Dublin hospital will tell you that casualty wards there do be chockablock with victims of drunken violence (who are often violent to hospital staff themselves) on Paddy's Day. You may find this humourous, Éamonn12,and that's your prerogative but you shuld understand that many of the ethnic Irish in America and in Ireland don't. You're insulted by the misspelling of Paddy's Day? Is éard nach dtaitníonn liomsa nach bhfuil cuid nach beag hÉireannach in ann m'ainm a litriú go ceart. I'm also really annoyed, as an 'actual' Irish citizen and permanent resident of Ireland, that FF sold away Ireland's gas and oil rights for a pittance and that FG don't seem at interested in doing anything about it. Ach sin scéal eile...
Gaelphoncán | Feb 24, 2012, 01:24 AM EST
A Éamoinn12, a chara, as an 'actual Irish person', you're probably incapable of understanding that the ACTUAL ethnic Irish in America want to move beyond the stereoptype of them as raging p--sheads (Urban Outfitters are taking the p--s out of the ethnic Irish in America more than anyone else). Sadly, like many IBABs, you probaly have little knowledge about the history of the ethnic Irish in America and the negative stereotypes that they've had to put up with. There's no doubt that we Irish, in Ireland and among the children of the diaspora, have a tendency towards alcohol abuse, be it genetic or cultural. I doubt there's no ethnic Irish person in America or in Ireland that I know of who hasn't got someone is his/her family who's got a drink problem. Paddy's Day in post-Catholic Ireland has long ceased being a holy day and is now only an excuse for a huge p--sup. On Paddy's Day in Dublin it's normal to see pre-teenaged kids legless with drink. Anyone who has worked in a Dublin hospital will tell you that casualty wards there do be chockablock with victims of drunken violence (who are often violent to hospital staff themselves). You may find this humourous, Éamonn12,and that's your prerogative but you shuld understand that many of the ethnic Irish in America and in Ireland don't.
BillTobin | Feb 23, 2012, 10:48 PM EST
Here's Urban Outfitters pr person's email: oona.mccullough@urban.out Here's my emai: As a proud Irish American, whose immigrant parents never drank a drop, I have been continually disgusted at the way the Irish are portrayed. If they were all drunks how could many Fortune 500 companies be headed by Irish Americans. We have about 150 relatives in the U.S. and Ireland and I am posting a boycott on Facebook and Twitter, of your stores everywhere until there is an apology. Bill Tobin
CarriageHorse | Feb 23, 2012, 08:08 PM EST
I think it shameful. you would not see this clothing manufacturer selling shirts with the N-word on them, or with a cap featuring a picture of an African American eating a piece of watermellon to celebbrate MLK Day, or Juneteenth Day. Why should it be just fine to sell items that condone the repulsive stereotype depecting people from Ireland as a bunch of drunks? St. Patrick's Day is a feast day in both the Roman Catholic ad Anglican churches. This stuff makes a mockery of the saint whose feast is celebrated because he brought Christianity to the unbelievers, not because he showed them how to drink themselves silly.
brianmack | Feb 23, 2012, 07:48 PM EST
Growing up in Rockaway, in the fifties and sixties, St. Patrick's day was holy day and not a drunk sodden embarrassment. I don't have any opinion on the way people celebrate this day since the spiritual side of it has been cast away many, many years ago. Sad, but true.
feliciamaisey | Feb 23, 2012, 07:29 PM EST
It has always embarrassed my family when we see Irish and non-Irish celebrating by being obnoxious and by drinking excessively. The stereotype has been permitted to exist, because those people with a more acute sense of what the holiday stands for and how it came to be one of the most world renowned holidays often say and do nothing. If people do not express their disdain for the more insulting iconic things like those mentioned in the article, the situation will never change.
dunning | Feb 23, 2012, 06:34 PM EST
It's about time,we were raised to enjoy St.Patrick's Day and I find all these tee-shirts and so called Irish items are sooooo uncalled for!!!!!!
Rebelforce | Feb 23, 2012, 06:28 PM EST
And we wonder why kids in Hoboken think that St Patrick's Day is the day everybody gets drunk? It is because the Irish-American community have shamefully remained silent while bigots have been working hard to trivialize and mock St Patrick's Day with impunity. If companies like 'Urban Outfitters' can't find a way to respectfully celebrate Irish Pride on St Patrick's Day, they shouldn't sell any St Patrick's Day items at all.
kaybrennan | Feb 23, 2012, 04:30 PM EST
Unfortunately, there are a lot of people (not necessarily Irish people) that act just like this on St. Patrick's Day and are proud of it.
Murph46 | Feb 23, 2012, 04:25 PM EST
Just got a e-mail advertisement from ShopIrish.com,they had similar T shirts-told em to remove my name from their list.
MegK311 | Feb 23, 2012, 03:55 PM EST
I have lived in the US for many years and every year I cringe at how people celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
kittyobitty | Feb 23, 2012, 02:57 PM EST
Does anyone remember that it's SAINT PATRICK'S DAY? A holy day????
GeorgeDillon | Feb 23, 2012, 02:56 PM EST
"Guinness has done an amazing job of joining the public perception of Ireland with Beer"... Quite right bailey2000. I find it disgusting to see how the souvenir stores in Ireland all have huge sections offering Guinness garbage. No other country that I know of defines itself thru booze. They even took Obama and the Queen of England to drink Guinness. Hats off to the Guinness marketing people, but no kudos for the stupid Irish who cooperate with them. How many of the posters who are whining about the Urban Outfitters stuff have bought Guinness T-shirts etc? I bet there are dozens. If you want to make a point about nasty stereotypes of the Irish, don't buy Guinness memorabilia. And tell the store clerks in the souvenir outlets in Ireland (if you can find one who speaks English) that Ireland has a rich and fascinating history, literature and culture, far more fascinating than can be represented up by an ugly piece of Guinness garbage.
RedBranch | Feb 23, 2012, 01:52 PM EST
It is one of the stranger things about modern the Irish that it has taken on lock, stock and barrel the images of how others see them. From bulbous hats to stick on facial hair at international sporting fixtures to the Tallagh Twirletts majorette band. I cannot explain it, but the people seem happy enough, so why get excited...
Eamonn12 | Feb 23, 2012, 01:41 PM EST
As an actual Irish person unlike most on this page, I don't take any offense to this. It's a joke. Just because other groups complain about everything it doesn't mean I want to join the Complaint Brigade. The only thing that insults me is when they spell it PaTTy's Day...
wilhoef | Feb 23, 2012, 01:25 PM EST
We have brought this upon ourselves and have no one else to blame. It is shameful, however.
manhattan | Feb 23, 2012, 01:04 PM EST
I called the Urban Outfitters Philadelphia office at 215-454-5500 and spoke to Kim who seemed really shocked when I told her about the shirts her Company is selling for St. Patrick's day. She apologized and took my phone number. If we do nothing this will continue.
Bailey2000 | Feb 23, 2012, 12:46 PM EST
Funny that on the same page as this article there is an advertisement for St Patricks Day shirts with Guinness written across them. Guinness has done an amazing job of joining the public perception of Ireland with Beer through sponsorship of the GAA etc etc. No wonder the world thinks the Irish are a bunch of drunks. Lets also not forget that there is more than a grain of truth in this I am afraid.
cillowen | Feb 23, 2012, 11:42 AM EST
this is small potatoes when matched up with RTE's Telly of Republic - have a butchers.
Murph46 | Feb 23, 2012, 11:23 AM EST
In the US with 12% of the population being Irish,there are a hell of a lot of other nationalities out stinking drunk on St.Pats. This assortment of products may be offensive ,but I support their right to sell it.The absolute best way to stop it is to let it rot on their shelves.Inventory is money!
DaithiSuibhne | Feb 23, 2012, 11:22 AM EST
Typical corporate callusness, the only thing 'Green' they care about is money, whats left is for those who really care, is not to purchase these items. As for butlerreport,I don't know anyone who drinks to have NOT had to much on occasion no matter what their nationality, so I cannot say the 'Irish' are a bunch of drunks, perhaps this is a reflection on yourself lad. Perhaps a little restraint is in order.
ciaradexy | Feb 23, 2012, 11:21 AM EST
Dublinborn, the Americans LOVE the stereotype! They wouldnt visit if they thought it didnt exist! They come for all that diddley ay stuff. They dont care about contemporary Ireland or the Irish.
Dublinborn | Feb 23, 2012, 11:08 AM EST
If the Irish want respect they should stop pandering to the stereotypes when it suits them. From Bord Failtes marketing campaign depicting Ireland with wall to wall public houses and Irish politicians annual pilgrimage to the White House on St Patrick's day. Maybe they should teach Obama about the true meaning of the Holy Trinity on their next visit and stop being political lackey's for the secular left
lee01702 | Feb 23, 2012, 11:02 AM EST
I'm Irish-American, and I find this absolutely and totally offensive! I hope everyone will boycott this store until they apologize and take this garbage off of their shelves!
jamieLM | Feb 23, 2012, 10:47 AM EST
I dislike seeing the stereotype of the drunk Irish constantly reinforced on items like the cap. Too many Irish and Irish-Americans have a drinking problem, but so do too many people in other ethnic groups. Unlike the Irish, other ethnic groups get a pass on their problem drinking and drunken behavior. The Irish stereotype is reinforced every year when a group of Irish-Americans & MANY more non-Irish use St. Patrick's Day as an excuse to get drunk and rowdy. I won't buy anything that reinforces the stereotype of the Irish being nothing but drunks, although I know these stereotypes are difficult to completely eliminate because they have a kernel of truth to them.
Fightin69th | Feb 23, 2012, 10:46 AM EST
Call the number listed in the article, (215) 454-5500, you'll get a live person on the phone and tell them that you want to give them feedback, they'll connect you to their customer service department, lets just light up their phones!!!!
colkelley | Feb 23, 2012, 10:35 AM EST
Don't you know? Nothing can be racist or offensive unless it is directed at someone who is not white. If you want to REALLY see offensive garbage look at the items produced year-round that ridicule and demean Southerners. You can almost bet that someone will respond me me with a claim that it is okay to ridicule Southerners because we are all dumb (my IQ is 152 and both of my sons haveIQs tested in the 170s), racist (both of my sons are half-Filipino) homophobes (my unofficial "foster son" is Black and bisexual). Since my mother's people came from Ireland in 1632 and my father's in 1690 we are REAL Americans. When you folks who are so indignant come forth and stand against the denigration of Southerners I will join you in objecting to this offensive-to-the-Irish outrage.
mollycoll1 | Feb 23, 2012, 10:11 AM EST
Their corporate website has no "contact us" info. They do have a Facebook page and I posted the picture above on it asking them why they thought this was funny. Do they do a Mafia theme on Columbus day or Inquisition theme on Christmas?? Don't think so.
SingleDonald | Feb 23, 2012, 10:11 AM EST
I feel that this is unconscionable! I'm an Italian American, and my father told me this, when I was in 9th Grade: "When one group starts offending another group, they are showing insecurity about their own group!" There have been some Irish jokes on IC, such as the bet that an Irishman couldn't drink 10 drinks lined up at a pub, in Ireland. That one was lighthearted, while Urban Outfitters' display was viscious! BTW, my dad recalls the days when NINA meant, "No Irish or Italians need apply" for a job. This offensive acronym appeared right in newspaper ads, even after World War II!!
butlerreport | Feb 23, 2012, 08:57 AM EST
No apology needed. Depicting reality may be hurtful but the reason anyone is angry is because we know it to be true.
faberm1 | Feb 23, 2012, 08:49 AM EST
Give us contact info to send our thoughts to Urban Outfitters. I can't find the corporate headquarters on the internet. Please post an email so we can let them know our thoughts.