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Furious Irish parents slam 'horrendous' Peppa Pig Goes to Ireland and label it 'offensive' for featuring NO Irish characters, Miss Rabbit selling fiddles and an Irish-dancing festival

  Outraged Irish parents have criticised a book in which Peppa Pig journeys to Ireland - insisting it is 'offensive' and 'horren...

 Outraged Irish parents have criticised a book in which Peppa Pig journeys to Ireland - insisting it is 'offensive' and 'horrendous'.

People took to Twitter this week to lambast Peppa Pig: Peppa Goes to Ireland after discovering it features no Irish characters and stereotypes such as Peppa's family purchasing fiddles and attending an Irish-dancing festival. 


The criticism came after one parent, Irish author Kevin Power, tweeted a photo of the book on Monday and wrote: 'I read this to my daughter at bedtime. 

'It features no Irish characters, just English characters enjoying themselves in Ireland, thus reinscribing 800 years of colonialism. Might call Liveline (an Irish radio show) about it tomorrow.'

He later clarified that he was joking, but parents rushed to agree with the tweet, calling the story - which claims to be the 'perfect introduction to Ireland for little Peppa fans' - 'offensive', and one woman even explained how she had 'immediately put it in the bin' after reading it. 

Outraged Irish parents have criticised a book in which Peppa Pig journeys to Ireland (pictured) - insisting it is 'offensive' and 'horrendous'

Outraged Irish parents have criticised a book in which Peppa Pig journeys to Ireland (pictured) - insisting it is 'offensive' and 'horrendous'

People took to Twitter this week to lambast Peppa Pig: Peppa Goes to Ireland (pictured) after discovering it features no Irish characters and stereotypes such as Peppa's family purchasing fiddles and attending an Irish-dancing festival

People took to Twitter this week to lambast Peppa Pig: Peppa Goes to Ireland (pictured) after discovering it features no Irish characters and stereotypes such as Peppa's family purchasing fiddles and attending an Irish-dancing festival

The criticism came after one parent, Irish author Kevin Power, tweeted a photo of the book on Monday and wrote: 'I read this to my daughter at bedtime. It features no Irish characters, just English characters enjoying themselves in Ireland, thus reinscribing 800 years of colonialism. Might call Liveline (an Irish radio show) about it tomorrow.'

The criticism came after one parent, Irish author Kevin Power, tweeted a photo of the book on Monday and wrote: 'I read this to my daughter at bedtime. It features no Irish characters, just English characters enjoying themselves in Ireland, thus reinscribing 800 years of colonialism. Might call Liveline (an Irish radio show) about it tomorrow.'

'I never do this with books but I put it in the bin IMMEDIATELY after reading it. I would have put it in sooner but the kids spotted it. It is horrendous,' she said.

Another person added: 'Yeah we got it too, Ireland is basically a diddley-eye theme park. But the Peppa Pig corporation isn’t even trying, the quality of all that stuff is woeful.'

While a third wrote: 'This is exactly the book I’d have got for my girls ahead of taking them home to Limerick for Paddy’s, thank you for saving me money. Wtf is wrong with these people?!'


And it appears following the book's release in May 2021, parents were almost instantly outraged by it, with one person commenting on Twitter: 'Peppa Pig: Peppa Goes to Ireland is so feckin offensive.'

A synopsis for the children's tale - published by Penguin's Ladybird - reads: 'Peppa and George are going to Ireland for an Irish-dancing festival! But when the band forget their instruments, will Peppa and her family be able to save the day?

'This brand-new story features a glittery cover and is the perfect introduction to Ireland for little Peppa fans.' 

One moment finds one of the main characters, Miss Rabbit, selling fiddles and other instruments. It reads: 'As they got to the top of the biggest hill, Peppa spotted Miss Rabbit in a souvenir shop'

One moment finds one of the main characters, Miss Rabbit, selling fiddles and other instruments. It reads: 'As they got to the top of the biggest hill, Peppa spotted Miss Rabbit in a souvenir shop'

Mummy Pig then buys an accordion, a tin whistle and a fiddle, as well as a rainbow ornament, which 'come in handy' later on (pictured)

Mummy Pig then buys an accordion, a tin whistle and a fiddle, as well as a rainbow ornament, which 'come in handy' later on (pictured)

Parents were left outraged by the 'classic Irish tropes' discovered in the story - including shamrocks a-plenty and an Irish-dancing festival (pictured)

Parents were left outraged by the 'classic Irish tropes' discovered in the story - including shamrocks a-plenty and an Irish-dancing festival (pictured)

Reaction: Parents rushed to agree with the tweet, calling the story - which claims to be the 'perfect introduction to Ireland for little Peppa fans' - 'offensive', and one woman even explained how she had 'immediately thrown it in the bin' after reading it

Reaction: Parents rushed to agree with the tweet, calling the story - which claims to be the 'perfect introduction to Ireland for little Peppa fans' - 'offensive', and one woman even explained how she had 'immediately thrown it in the bin' after reading it

Yet parents have been left outraged by the 'classic Irish tropes' discovered in the story - including shamrocks a-plenty and an Irish-dancing festival.

'"We're going to Ireland!" sang Peppa excitedly while practising her Irish-dancing steps. "Madame Gazelle said I must rehearse my dancing,'" is one line found in the book.

Another moment finds one of the main characters, Miss Rabbit, selling fiddles and other instruments.

It reads: 'As they got to the top of the biggest hill, Peppa spotted Miss Rabbit in a souvenir shop. “Hello, Miss Rabbit!” said Peppa. “What are you doing here?” “Hello, Peppa,” said Miss Rabbit. “I’m selling souvenirs.”

Another moment finds one of the main characters, Miss Rabbit, selling fiddles and other instruments

Another moment finds one of the main characters, Miss Rabbit, selling fiddles and other instruments

'“Look at the Irish-dancing outfits!” gasped Peppa. “Can we get some for the Irish-dancing festival, Daddy? Please!” “OK,” Daddy Pig said. “Four Irish-dancing outfits please. They can be our little bit of green Ireland to take home!”'

Mummy Pig then buys an accordion, a tin whistle and a fiddle, as well as a rainbow ornament. 

These purchases later save the day, with the band at the Irish-dancing festival having forgotten their instruments. 

The story explains: '“Oh no!” Peppa said. But then she had a thought… “What instruments do they need?”

'“An accordion, a tin whistle and a fiddle,” said Miss Rabbit. “I think we might have those in our car!” cried Peppa. 

Yet not all parents were angered by the book, with one person tweeting: 'Focus on something other than the microaggressions of a children's book'

Yet not all parents were angered by the book, with one person tweeting: 'Focus on something other than the microaggressions of a children's book'

'... The band played their music and everyone started dancing. “Irish dancing is the best!” cried Peppa. “I just can’t stop!” “Me neither!” said Daddy Pig, going quite red.

'... Everyone was having so much fun dancing, they didn’t notice it was beginning to rain. Luckily, Miss Rabbit appeared with a basket full of welly boots.' 

Yet not all parents were angered by the book, with one person tweeting: 'Focus on something other than the microaggressions of a children's book.'

Another said: 'Pff, if they had Irish characters you'd just be complaining they had't been written by an Irish sensitivity reader. Comedy isn't funny anymore.'

And after plenty of replies agreeing with his original tweet, author Kevin later took to his social media account to add: 'Wondering at what point I should step in and point out that my Peppa Goes to Ireland tweet is a joke.'  

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