Irish-inspired clothing collection causes a stir

A new clothing range has offended some Irish, but others say it's just tacky. Photo / Thinkstock

A new range of Irish-inspired clothing has caused a stir, with some saying it promotes unfair stereotypes and binge drinking.

Clothing store Urban Outfitters recently released the St Patrick's Day collection, featuring green t-shirts emblazoned with the words: 'Irish I were drunk', plus a collection of shot glasses and other paraphernalia.

Politicians in the US have sent a letter to Urban Outfitters CEO, Ted Marlow, demanding the store stop selling clothing and accessories which negatively depict the Irish Community and St Patrick's Day, website Politiker reported.

"We recently learned of images used by Urban Outfitters in its St. Patrick's Day clothing line that depict severe and negative stereotypes of Irish and Irish-American people as well as may promote binge drinking. We strongly urge you to end the sale of these items," they wrote.

"Some of the items in question are a hat which refers to 'Irish Yoga' as someone throwing up, a beverage container with the words 'Leprechaun (expletive)', and a T-shirt with the slogan 'Irish I Were Drunk'."

The secretary of the Wellington Irish Society, David Rynne, said the clothing is tacky, but harmless, and represents a misunderstanding of Irish culture.

"I can't imagine them selling too many of them," Rynne said.

"Drinking culture is really what they're trying to promote. They associate Irish with that. Binge drinking isn't uniquely Irish. Every country in the world has its problems. I think they can't understand Irish social culture is based around the pub, the way the French are based around cafes.

"Just because the Irish go to the pub doesn't mean they get wasted and pass out drunk on the footpath at 2'o'clock in the morning.

"Instead of a coffee they go and have a pint. It's certainly not a case of going and getting hammered."

This controversial St Patrick's Day collection comes on the back of a lawsuit slapped on Urban Outfitters by the Native-American group Navajo Nation, for selling clothing that had the word 'Navajo' in its description. Urban Outfitters removed the word 'Navajo' from its line but kept the products in question on its site.

Take a look at the St Patrick's Day collection here. Do you think it's offensive?

* Follow Life & Style Editor Nicky Park on Twitter.