US retailer slammed over 'offensive' St Patrick's Day shirt omitting Northern Ireland from its design
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US retailer slammed over 'offensive' St Patrick's Day shirt omitting Northern Ireland from its design

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.

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.