Old Martha has gotten some shtick this year over the September 'holiday' that has now been running for 5 years. Irish singer-songwriter, Christy Moore has spoken out against this 'marketing ploy' with the Irish Times quoted to have said "If St Patrick's Day, Christmas, and Hallowe'en are festivals that offer an excuse for a drink, Diageo has flipped the concept on its head and made the drink an excuse for a festival"
Arthur's Day was first organised by Diago in 2009 to both celebrate and promote the 250th anniversary of its Guinness brewing company. The 2009 events took place internationally in the cities of Dublin, Kuala Lumpar, Lagos, New York and Yaounde on the 23rd of September 2009. The celebration has been endorsed by several high-profile names, such as rock star-turned political activist Bob Geldof, director and screenwriter Guy Richie, footballer and Guinness football ambassador for Africa Michael Essian and British celebrities such as Peter Crouch, Sophie Dahl.
With all the bad press, we would imagine Diago are either calling up on contingency plans or else cracking open the Johnny Walker Black in an early celebration of all the free publicity. What do you reckon? Still gona raise a glass at 17.59 tomorrow?
Aaand here are the lyrics in case you can't hear him over all the Guinness drinking in Whelans, where it was recorded.
Diageo Diageo have mounted a Crusade
Creating Arthur's Day they've suckered us into their charade
Start 'em off on Alco-Pops tastes just like lemonade
Get 'em into the hit while they're young and none the wiser
(2)
Diageo pump the volume up on Arthur's Day
With The Manic Street Preachers, Primal Scream, Tom Jones and David Gray
To flog their alcohol they're revvin the youngsters up for a mighty spree
Twitter and Facebook tellin them where The Mumfords 'r gonna be
(Chorus)
Happy Happy Happy Happy Arthur's Day
Its such…. a Happy Clappy Advertisin' Scheme
Drink sensibly they implore us, as their Hosannas sound a never-ending chorus
'n kids get hooked on the fantasies that flash before us
(3)
Arthurs Alcoholiday is comin' round again
He's the patron saint of porter canonized by the Advertisin' Men
The medics in the ambulance 'll be workin overtime,
The A&E 'll be like a drunk tank in the firing line
While Diageo goes AWOL at closing time
