Between a shamrock and a hard place

The decision last November to drop the much loved Shamrock as Ireland’s mascot shocked and divided the nation.

A controversial replacement, featuring two characters dancing around a small shramrock, was created at a cost of 100 000 by Design Works. A few months of bawling from the pro-Shramrock contingent has resulted in a compromise – two characters dancing around a bigger shramrock. Or is it a handbag?

But the Northern Irish tourist board is sticking with the small shramrock version, much to the annoyance of the marketing manager of The Irish Tourist Board. He has now quit his job, for “other reasons”. To add insult to injury, it will cost a further 100 000 to implement the latest logo.

The project was intended to represent a united image for the entire island of Ireland.