Twink calling Dublin ‘a kip’ is just plain insulting, says city tour guide

The Queen of Panto Twink has come under fire for making ‘insulting’ comments about Dublin after calling the city center a ‘kip’.

outspoken artist lashed out at his hometown when it emerged that one of Dublin’s most iconic shops, The Pen Corner on College Green, was due to close at the end of May after nearly 100 years of activity.

Twink (71), real name Adele King, said she preferred ‘the charming old world of Dublin’ she grew up in to the ‘plastic, fast food, cafe, multinational’ it has become.

However, some fellow Dubliners were quick to jump to the city’s defence.

Lindy Taylor, a Liberties tour guide, said she found Twink’s comments “insulting”.

“I would be happy to invite him on one of my tours to prove him wrong,” she said. “I would highlight Dublin’s rich cultural and historical heritage, from Viking and medieval cathedrals to museums, castles, distilleries and galleries.

“As a tour guide I can assure him that there is no shortage of fantastic attractions to visit in Dublin. I am a proud Dub and will always defend my city.

Councilor Dermot Lacey (Lab) added: ‘I don’t know what Twink has ever done for the city, but maybe instead of her negativity she could direct tourists to Dublin’s wonderful little museum, followed by a walk through St Stephen’s Green.

“She could then send them down Grafton Street and Wicklow Street to the Secret Record Store or perhaps the ever-eccentric George’s Street Arcade.

“From there they could quickly walk to Dublin Castle and have a coffee in the beautiful Chester Beatty Museum and Cafe.”

Veteran theater performer Twink had said she “felt sorry” for international tourists arriving in Dublin, who find only gift shops and “Oirish” fast food outlets.

She also took aim at Grafton Street, calling it “the land of a nasty plastic surgery shop”. “Who cares about tourists having something with a bit of class staying in Dublin for shopping?” she told The Sun newspaper.

Twink described the loss of The Pen Corner as “the saddest of closures” and paid tribute to its staff, saying they were in “a different league from some of the ignoramuses” at other stores.

She also lamented the decline of traditional writing skills. “I’m so sick of lyrics taking precedence over the timeless art of writing,” she added.

PantiBar owner Rory O’Neill, who goes by the name Panti Bliss, declined to criticize Twink’s comments when contacted by Independent.ie.

“I’m gay so I would never argue with anything Twink has to say,” he said. “I think she should win the Nobel Prize for Literature just for the phrase ‘nasty plastic surgery shops’.”