Irish PM Kenny Rejects Australian PM Abbott’s St Patrick’s Day Message

Irish Prime Minister Taoiseach Enda Kenny didn’t find his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott’s St Patrick’s Day message funny. The Australian PM tried joking at the Irish people’s expense in his video message but it fell flat with the intended audience.

Mr Abbott recorded a video message for the Irish when he wasn’t able to attend the St Patrick’s Day business lunches set by two organisations in Melbourne and Sydney on Friday. Mr Kenny saw the video and he wasn’t happy with the implied stereotypes in the message.

“I’ve heard the prime minister’s comments,” Mr Kenny was quoted by the Irish Independent as saying at the US Chamber of Commerce, adding he didn’t agree with what Mr Abbott said. “I think that it is perfectly in order for so many Irish people in Australia to have an enjoyable celebration of St Patrick’s Day and St Patrick’s week, and to do so in a thoroughly responsible fashion.” He also rejected the “stage Irish” image of their citizens outside their country.

In the video, Mr Abbott tried to be funny about the event, even referencing his party’s rejection of climate change issues by saying it was the only time of the year when it’s good to be green. He then focused on the stereotypical belief that the Irish drink a lot of alcohol and love to party.

“I’m sorry I can’t be there to share a Guinness or two or maybe even three, but like you, I do rejoice in St Patrick’s Day,” he ended the message. He called historian Patrick O’Farrell “Paddy” to make his name more Irish-sounding, gave a mangled version of history, and claimed Australians will celebrate the occasion in “pubs and clubs” for the Irish.

The message was “patronising,” according to an Irish businessman in Australia. He told the Irish Times that the Australian PM missed the opportunity to address them with a business-focused message that was relevant for business functions, which was where the video was supposed to be played. It was supplied to the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce and the Lansdowne Club, but neither reportedly had played it.

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