Tourists Warned ‘Greenface’ Is Offensive To Irish People

AHEAD of the St Patrick’s Day festivities here in Ireland and around the world well-meaning tourists and parade participants are being reminded that engaging in ‘greenface’ can be seen as highly offensive to Irish people.

“You might not mean to cause offense but greenface is strictly for Irish people, and no, not the I’m 64th Irish on my grandmother’s dog’s side ‘Irish’,” confirmed Paddy’s Day etiquette expert Siobhan O’Ryan.

Using the slogan ‘going green is mean’, Irish people are politely trying to usher in a new more sensitive era of celebrating the landmark festivities after Irish people have grown tired of tourists engaging in stereotypes.

“It’s not as offensive as that recent SNL sketch or the previous 63 sketches which all made the same joke, but it’s not far off it. Respectfully, we state that painting our face green is an Irish traditional custom and should be kept that way,” added O’Ryan, who pointed out the sacred tradition has been passed down from generation to generation via green face paint purchases in Carrolls gift shops.

Historic photos of international landmarks covered in greenface has prompted Fáilte Ireland to also call for an end to the practice. Despite these pleas pictures emerged of the Chicago River dyed green.

“Sure the river Liffey is green but that’s not by choice, it’s verging on appropriation so please stop,” continued O’Ryan as her mind was overwhelmed with flashing Darby O’Gill images.

“But no none of this is nearly as offensive as when an Irish person is asked ‘but where are you really from’ by another Irish person because of the colour of their skin”.