An Irish pub has hit back at a “virtue signalling troll who “sniped at one of the main pillars of Ireland” - the turf fire.
JJ Hough’s singing pub in Co Offaly posted what it described as “a seemingly innocuous picture” on social media of their first turf fire of the season.
However, a local tourist company quickly spotted that the fire seemed to be fuelled by turf, sparking a spirited exchange in the comments of the pub’s post.
Working holiday Ireland said: “I see you’re burning turf?! Carbon footprint guys…”
Turf is dried-peat and was a primary fuel source for Irish people for thousands of years.
Responding to the remarks the family pub quipped: “It’s how we heat the Pub. Looking at your page you rely on tourists from abroad coming to Ireland correct? How do they get here? They hardly swam. How would you quantify and compare the emissions of a Boeing 747 to a small turf fire. How do your guests get around Ireland when they arrive, do they walk?
“I also see by your page you promote Dunnes Stores, who have 138 stores in Ireland and abroad, do you query their carbon footprint? When your guests are here do you check their clothing to ensure they aren’t made of synthetic polyester,a byproduct of petroleum.
“Did you write your critique of my turf fire on a phone or laptop? Both of which were developed and are powered by fossil fuel technology. Maybe think before criticising a small family run pubs turf fire. Maybe call in some day and I’ll give you my carbon footprint up your hole.”
Their response has gone viral receiving almost 2,500 likes.
Working holiday Ireland then responded: “Joking aside, Turf=Peat… Peat=Carbon Capture=Good for the Environment Burning Peat/Turf=Less Carbon Capture=Bad for the Environment.”
Following the ‘turf war’ JJ Hough’s singing pub said they are “delighted with the messages of support” that show the fireplace “continues to be a centrepiece of the traditional Irish pub”.
They said: “When we posted a seemingly innocuous picture of our first turf fire of the season, little did we realise there was a virtue signalling troll waiting in the long grass armed and ready to snipe at one of the main pillars of Ireland, the turf fire.
“We were delighted with the messages of support which reveal that people are still proud of the traditions and heritage that make us Irish. From that first discovery of fire, it has contributed to the development of culture and language throughout the ages and continues to be the centrepiece of the Traditional Irish Pub where we gather to converse, communicate while sometimes being lewd and lascivious but always good craic. Do not hasten to abandon all tradition just yet.”
Working Ireland has not responded to the latest post.
