Bacon, Cabbage, And Controversy: Publishers Say Sorry for Irish Family Stereotype

Thursday, 5 September 2024 16:29

By Martin Osborne

The content sparked controversy and in a statement the Educational Company of Ireland has acknowledged the upset and anger it caused.

The publishers of a Junior Certificate book have apologised over the depiction of an Irish family contained in it.

It's shown outside a thatched farmhouse wearing Aran jumpers, noting the family eats ‘potatoes, bacon and cabbage every day’ and does not like “change or difference”.

The mixed-race family are outgoing and cultured

The content sparked controversy and in a statement the Educational Company of Ireland has acknowledged the upset and anger it caused.

The company says that was not its intention, as the activity in the book was designed to use exaggeration to convey the nature of inclusion and bias.

The activity will now be replaced.

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