J Crew Factory criticised for selling 'offensive' St Patrick's Day shirt

The map of Ireland reads 'beer,' 'more beer' and 'whiskey'

J Crew Factory criticised for offensive St Patrick's Day shirt (J Crew Factory)

J Crew Factory is facing backlash for selling a St Patrick’s Day T-shirt that many have deemed offensive to Irish people.

The T-shirt in question is grey and features a green map of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland emblazoned with words such as: “beer,” “more beer,” and “whiskey.”

Over the weekend, people on Twitter criticised the outlet brand for stereotyping Irish people ahead of St Patrick's Day on 17 March.

In addition, several people pointed out the map printed on the T-shirt omits parts of Ireland, such as Ulster in Northern Ireland.

“Hey J Crew, 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 reasons,” one person wrote.

“I’ll let you figure it out for yourselves, but showing the design to any Irish person would have helped."

“So the north of Ireland no longer exists and the south of Ireland is inhabited by alcoholics,” another wrote.

Another person tweeted: “This is absolutely appalling. St Patrick is buried in the part of Ireland you LEFT OUT.”

BBC presenter Andrea Catherwood also criticised the shirt, tweeting: “Do you know where Slemish is J Crew? Or what it is? Have you heard of Downpatrick? Your eviscerated map has left out the places St Patrick lived, where he died and was buried.”

The shirt has been deemed offensive (J Crew Factory)

St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland who is known for bringing Christianity to the country, is thought to have first come to Ireland at Slemish Mountain and died in Downpatrick - areas of Northern Ireland that are not shown on the T-shirt.

The T-shirt is currently on sale online for $11.50 (£8.50).

This is not the first time a retailer has been criticised for selling offensive shirts in the lead up to St Patrick's Day.

Last year, Walmart was boycotted for selling shirts that read: “I’m so Irish my liver hurts.”

The Independent has contacted J Crew Factory for comment.