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Do these St Patrick's Day t-shirts depict Irish as drunk and dumb?

Would you or your family be proud wearing these graphic Irish t-shirts?

BERNIE MALONE,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Friday, January 13, 2012, 7:26 AM

Updated Friday, January 13, 2012, 12:37 PM

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79 Comments

Would you or your familu be proud wearing these graphic Irish t-shirts?

Photo by collegeflavor.com

Slideshow: Possibly offensive Irish t-shirts

With St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, the countdown is on for the biggest annual celebration of Irish heritage.

In the run up to St. Patrick’s Day last year, Old Navy were criticized by the public for selling graphic Irish t-shirts playing the stereotype of the drunken Irish.

If you’re reading this story, there is a good chance that you have some Irish roots. It’s something we are all proud of, and especially in the the U.S, it’s a close bond that millions of us share. Do you think wearing a graphic t-shirt is an appropriate way of celebrating your Irish identity?

Here are just a selection of some of the Irish t-shirts available on the Internet.

1.    Full of beer and blarney.
2.    Irish today, hung-over tomorrow.
3.    Irish to the last drop.
4.    Irish I was drunk.
5.    Every day is St. Patrick’s Day.
6.    Let’s get ready to stumble.
7.    Fight me I’m Irish.
8.    Dublin up, two hands-two drinks.
9.    Irish girl, best damn drinking buddy a guy can have.
10. So this Irishman walks out of a bar, no really it can happen.

Slideshow: Possibly offensive Irish t-shirts

Would you wear these t-shirts or do you find them offensive? Share your thoughts and comments below.
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79 Comments

15 - 79 | See all comments

mssusanmac | Jan 17, 2012, 11:47 PM EST

I am not offended by the shirts. We, Irish, have been stereo typed for years. Hell, I'd buy a couple of them. Besides there will be plenty of non Irish celebrating St. Pat's Day because they say it is ok for this one day...God Bless you all and I raise a glass to you all.

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doctorb | Jan 17, 2012, 08:53 PM EST

i'm afraid the whole world is just too sensitive any more. these stereotypes have been passed on and have now become more of a joke than anything else. if that kind of "humor" hurts, then your shrink bills must be out of this world! i'm a retired police officer here in wash dc and have been called a pig or told "i smell pork"more times than i care to count. the last resort of a feeble mind is insulting your foe (and sometime your friends). remember "sticks & stones make break my bones, but whips and chains excite me".

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johnshiel | Jan 17, 2012, 05:48 PM EST

the location of the photo of pretty blonde with green t sure looks like Notre Dame campus... does anyone have a clue on this?

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LaoiseRyan | Jan 16, 2012, 12:26 PM EST

I agree with the last 4 posters. If I wore a t-shirt that was derogatory to Americans, Im sure a few on here wouldnt be too pleased with that so have the same respect for the Irish.

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jamieLM | Jan 16, 2012, 09:31 AM EST

If there were T-shirts with logos like - "I'm black, pass me the watermelon and fried chicken, or "I'm Polish and it takes 2 of us to screw in a light bulb," well, you can just imagine the uproar that would cause. The difference is, people of Irish ancestry (and those without) choose to wear t-shirts that reinforce negative Irish stereotypes and other ethnic groups usually do not, even "for fun."

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IrelandNorth | Jan 16, 2012, 07:51 AM EST

As an addiction counsellor, I see the effects of drug addiction like alcoholism every day. Nothing funny about it at all, and I do have a sense of humour. However, sometimes such merchandise if designed to exploit adverse reaction called negative advertising/controversial publicity. Here's a suggested alternative motif for their teeshirts: "Designed by poltroons. Worn by morons." "Pog mo thoin - Is mise Eireannach/Kiss my ass - I'm Irish!"

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goofygirl | Jan 16, 2012, 03:58 AM EST

As a third generation Irish American, full blood, I find these very offencive, If i wore a shirt that said something to that effect about another ethnic group, I would make national news, and what does that teach our children about our heritage, that we are all drunks, and that they too should follow this message?

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IrishEddy | Jan 15, 2012, 09:46 PM EST

The one I get offended by is: Instant Irish just add Alcohol

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Pittsburghkid | Jan 15, 2012, 03:49 PM EST

LoisRyan: Maybe the Americans are more honest then the Irish? Actually, it might be the fact that Americans drive cars. In America, the drunk driving laws are very strict. Life without a car in America is impossible, life without booze is bearable.

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sirpeter | Jan 15, 2012, 12:05 AM EST

oonafitz.I agree with ya totally.IC also limits the amount of words in a comment which is annoying for those who have something to say.Can't put up links either to back up a comment.Which is very important.Seems IC reckon Irish Americans get bored if a post is more then 5 lines in length.After all this site is mostly about taking the piss out of Ireland.You are not meant to try and explain anything.So I guess you will have to waste your time.

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sirpeter | Jan 14, 2012, 11:34 PM EST

Searlit.Yeah well.We can all throw the dirt.It just happens I'm very good at throwing it back haha.On a serious note I like Irish Americans.That's why I am here.But Irish Americans need to remember that St Patricks Day is their Irish stamp on the USA.They shouldn't make fun of themselves with these T-shirts.It's about heritage and who you are.

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oonafitz | Jan 14, 2012, 08:32 PM EST

Could you please have the comments sections run the first comment at the beginning? Working backwards as it is set up is a real waste of time.

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Searlit | Jan 14, 2012, 05:23 PM EST

The Americans at Thanksgiving, oh sirpeter, you do make me laugh, sometimes.

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LaoiseRyan | Jan 14, 2012, 04:45 PM EST

Seems to be Americans with drink problems on here and not the Irish at all!

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Pittsburghkid | Jan 14, 2012, 04:09 PM EST

Johhnyb, the Idea of someone wearing a shirt with writing on it, is very funny to me. So you are right, I do laught at them. When confronted with the insult of Irish being drunks, I laugh at myself. I was a drunk, as was my father. I'm more concerned that I'm not a drunk today. Sorry for not dividing up the difference.

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