AN IRISH nightclub has hit headlines around the world after it was forced to cancel a ‘Shag a Ginger’ night.
Pulse Venue in Letterkenny came under fire after extensively promoting a student night called ‘Shag a Ginger’ – where red-headed revellers were going to be given free admission and a condom on entry.
The poster for the event was circulated on Facebook – and caused outrage.
Some local parents and a Letterkenny priest weighed in on the matter labelling it racist.
“Redheads have been the butt of jokes for a long time,” a concerned mother told Donegal Now.
“Many in my family have red hair and it's really derogatory."
“You wouldn't see a black or Asian night and this seems every bit as racist as that.”
A name change to 'Kiss Me I'm Ginger' but club night is still going ahead at @Pulsevenue Letterkenny. #ShagaGinger pic.twitter.com/8eAEl5NGwA
— Eimear McGovern (@3imear) October 7, 2015
Blame was initially pointed at Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT) - the town's third level institution - after it was claimed the LYIT logo was included in the advertising.
But LYIT Students' Union was quick to disassociate the college with the event.
"To the people who are offended, read the poster properly and realise the LYIT Student Union logo isn't present," the union said.
"This is not an LYIT Student Union event this is a business event."
Eventually bowing to the backlash, Pulse Venue changed the name of the event to ‘Kiss Me I’m Ginger’ – and no condoms were handed out at the nightclub on Wednesday as had been expected.
The venue’s team of hairdressers were also on hand with cans of orange hairspray to “dye” the club-goers hair ginger.
The peculiar story was picked up in Britain and America as social media lit up with discussion on whether the 'Shag a Ginger' event was racist or not.
Pulse Venue has removed the poster and its promotion of the night from its Facebook page.
A spokesperson was unavailable for comment.
See More: Featured, Ginger, Pulse Letterkenny
