AN American clothing firm has been blasted on social media for selling an "offensive" St Patrick's Day t-shirt without Northern Ireland in its design.
The garment, sold by US retailer J.Crew, features a stylised map of the Republic with words such as "beer", "whiskey" and "more beer" – while omitting the six counties of the North.
The design caught the attention of Twitter user Francis X Kennedy, who posted an image of the t-shirt with the caption: "Hey, @jcrew, it’s great that you’re doing an Irish t-shirt for St Patrick’s Day, but this is offensive, bordering on obnoxious, for a couple of reasons.
"I’ll let you figure it out for yourselves, but showing the design to any Irish person would have helped."
The tweet has been liked over 1,300 times since it was posted on Sunday, with many others expressing their annoyance at the gaffe.
Hey, @jcrew, it's great that you're doing an Irish t-shirt for St Patrick’s Day, but this is offensive, bordering on obnoxious, for a couple of reasons. I'll let you figure it out for yourselves, but showing the design to any Irish person would have helped. pic.twitter.com/goAieDEawP
— Francis X Kennedy (@FXKennedy) 17 February 2019
One user wrote: "Saint Patricks Day is an all Irish Day, celebrated by people in the 32 counties of Ireland. Do your homework then print. #green #orange #unity".
Another noted: "Funny how 25% cut in geographical accuracy can create 100% cut in profitability. St Patrick spent majority of his missionary life in Ulster counties. From his early days as a slave in Antrim, reputed to be buried in Down...."
A third added: "They left out the actual place where he (St. patrick) lived, died and is buried. I honestly worry for our race."
J.Crew had made no official response to the matter by Monday afternoon.
Founded in 1947, the New York City-based firm operates more than 450 stores across the US and describes itself as a "multi-brand, multi-channel, specialty retailer" offering an assortment of women's, men's and children's apparel.
Saint Patricks Day is an all Irish Day, celebrated by people in the 32 counties of Ireland. Do your homework then print. #green #orange #unity
— @bayerischmike (@irelandofequals) 17 February 2019
Funny how 25% cut in geographical accuracy can create 100% cut in profitability.
St Patrick, spent majority of his missionary life Ulster counties.
From his early days as a slave in Antrim, reputed to be buried in Down....
— Eimeid MacCearain (@Culchie_Culture) 17 February 2019
They left out the actual place where he lived, died and is buried. I honestly worry for our race.
— Paul Mc (@BigPMcD84) 17 February 2019
So the North of Ireland no longer exists & the South of Ireland is inhabited by alcoholics.
The same eejits probably think that the Isle of Inisfree is the National Anthem...
— Dixie_Elliott (@IsMise_Dixie) 18 February 2019
Apart from everything else...What's with the windmill???!
— FinF (@FinFarrell) 17 February 2019
Hey @jcrew did you run out of ink when you got to the upper right quadrant?
(Saving my windmill question for later)
— Pattie McCarthy (@PattieMcCarthy) 17 February 2019
FFS we've floated off again!
— Armagh Red (@Armagh_Red) 17 February 2019
Hello @jcrew, there's a big chunk of Ulster missing. Ireland is the whole island, not just the Republic.
— Pascal ÓMathghamhna (@TheRankinMrP) 17 February 2019
I’m actually speechless.
— Browneyedgalabroad (@sbbhouston) 17 February 2019
Jesus, Mary and Saint Joseph!!!
— Liam MacU (@LiamMacU) 17 February 2019
Unacceptable. There are Irish people living in Northern Ireland.There are people who identify as British there too of course but there are Irish people there who identify as Irish and under international Good Friday Agreement have every right to be Irish. It's their holiday too.
— Niamh Mahony (@NiamhMahony5) 17 February 2019
Designed by the DUP
— Dr Rachel Woodlock (@rachwoodlock) 18 February 2019
