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05th Nov 2019

Tayto delete tweet mourning Gay Byrne following massive online response

Carl Kinsella

Tayto Park

The tweet provoked an overwhelming response.

The official Mr. Tayto Twitter account deleted a tweet mourning legendary Irish broadcaster Gay Byrne, following the announcement of his death yesterday.

The tweet featured an image of a sad Mr. Tayto, the brand’s well-known local, and was accompanied by the caption “It’s a sad day for the nation. Rest in peace Gay.”

The image was left online for several hours, but was eventually removed some time on Monday evening.

The Mr. Tayto Ireland Twitter account regularly posts topical graphics featuring Mr. Tayto — such as one posted on Pride weekend that featured the brand icon waving a rainbow flag — but yesterday appeared to be the first example of the account mourning a death.

While the tweet was popular and garnered hundreds of Likes on Twitter, it was also quickly made into a meme. Many used the image as a relatable reaction for every day situations, whereas others photoshopped Sad Mr. Tayto into other sad situations, such as the funeral of John F. Kennedy.

JOE has reached out to Tayto Ireland for comment.

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Topics:

Gay Byrne,Tayto