Tourism Ireland set to court controversy with St Patrick’s Day ad

Tourism Ireland has launched a controversial ad campaign to promote the celebration of St Patrick’s Day. The poster campaign features the patron saint of Ireland with the headline “missing” and identifying characteristics as “long beard, flowing gowns and pointy hat”.

The poster campaign goes on to say that the reward for finding St Patrick will be “1 of 4 luxury Irish breaks for two worth £2,500 each”.

The body Tourism Ireland was set up to promote tourism across the entire island as part of the Good Friday Agreement. It was created to promote Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as a single destination.

St Patrick’s Day, also sometimes referred to as Paddy’s Day, is the annual feast day which celebrates St Patrick and is generally celebrated on March 17. Celebrations are generally themed around all things Irish and, by association, the colour green.

As well as being a celebration of Irish culture, Saint Patrick’s Day is a Christian festival celebrated in the Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland, and some other denominations.