'I'll give you my carbon footprint up the hole' - Offaly pub hits back at turf fire critic

A pub in Offaly is going viral for their response to criticism of their first turf fire of the season.

JJ Houghs in Banagher posted a photograph of two pubgoers warming themselves at a lovely open fire with the caption: "First fire of the season."

While most people responded positively to the cosy scene on Facebook, one page, Working Holiday Ireland, criticised the use of turf as damaging to the environment.

They commented underneath the picture: "I see you’re burning turf?! Carbon footprint guys."

JJ Houghs page were quick to respond and their savage reply is now going viral with thousands of reshares.

The pub wrote: "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?

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"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."

Others were quick to heap praise on the pub for their thought-out response. One person wrote: "JJ Hough's Singing Pub is now on my bucket list. I will bet whoever wrote that post is some craic of an evening!"

Another added, "well said and so true Houghs...without traditional, atmospheric places like it, Working Holidays wouldn’t be in existence... the vanishing part of Ireland. Has always been a great pub…keep it up."

On the other hand, one person had another criticism for the pub; namely that the fire wasn't big enough, suggesting, "you'd want to throw a few more sods on it."