Uncommon and Aer Lingus show Nashville how to make the perfect ‘Irish Exit’

To mark the launch of a new direct route from Nashville to Dublin, Uncommon Creative Studio has teamed up with Aer Lingus to roll out a playful, culture-led campaign that transforms a familiar Irish phrase into a real-world airport journey.

We’ve all done it, or at least thought about doing it: slipping out of a party quietly, dodging the long-winded goodbyes, maybe leaving a coat behind in the process. It’s what’s affectionately known as the ‘Irish Exit’. Now, thanks to a new campaign by Uncommon Creative Studio for Aer Lingus, it’s also the perfect metaphor for a spontaneous getaway from downtown Nashville straight to Dublin.

In celebration of the airline’s new direct route between the two cities, Uncommon has launched a cheeky and culturally astute campaign that plants the phrase ‘Irish Exit’ firmly on the streets (and highways) of Nashville. It’s a concept that blends strategic clarity with deadpan humour, reimagining the beloved party trick as a literal route out of town.

“Nashville is known for its thriving nightlife and live music scene,” said Lucy Jameson, co-founder of Uncommon. “But there comes a time on every great night out when all you want to do is call it a day. And everyone knows that there’s no better way to save yourself from those painfully long goodbyes than by making a swift, sneaky Irish Exit.”

The campaign’s creative hook lies in its simplicity. Rather than leaning on familiar Irish tropes (Guinness pints, traditional music, or shamrocks), Uncommon tapped into something more subtly universal: a phrase that’s deeply rooted in Irish culture but broadly understood, particularly across the US.

Not only this but instead of advertising in the conventional sense, they built a narrative journey, plotting visual breadcrumbs from the city’s honky-tonk bars to the departure gate.

From bar signs and highway billboards to influencer placements and luggage tags, the ‘Irish Exit’ campaign meets people where they are before ushering them (with a wink) to where they could be.

One of the most striking elements is the use of exit-style road signage. Literal and a little absurd, these directional markers appear throughout Nashville, with tailored distances guiding would-be travellers toward the airport. “We really wanted to own Nashville,” Lucy said. “So we targeted high footfall locations, like bars, roadside OOH placements and airport spots, all strategically placed along the route to the airport. The placements take you on a journey… from making an Irish Exit out of a bar all the way to the check-in desk.”

In true Uncommon style, the execution straddles scale and subtlety. Yes, there’s a 100-foot mural and a takeover of the city’s famous Nashville sign, but there are also quiet moments of discovery. Think discreet bar stickers, vinyl floor signs pointing to exits, and even branded luggage tags handed out at check-in. Each detail adds to the narrative, leaving a breadcrumb trail of charm, wit and direction.

Lucy explained that the team wanted the campaign to feel immersive, playful and instantly gettable. “You don’t need to teach anyone anything; they already get it,” she said. “So creatively, you just get to play with everything around the hero message – creative builds, like mapping the different distances to the airport, and exploring which interesting places we can show up in.”

This careful balance of fun and functionality also speaks to the evolving tone of the Aer Lingus brand. Though a heritage airline with deep Irish roots, this campaign signals a shift toward more modern, culturally aware storytelling.

“The tone, wit and charm of this work is very much in keeping with our wider plans for Aer Lingus,” Lucy added. “This is just the start of more to come.”

In that sense, Irish Exit isn’t just a witty route campaign; it’s a creative reset. One that turns a tactical launch into a cultural moment while hinting at a bold new direction for the brand. It’s hard to imagine a more fitting departure.

So, if you’re in Nashville and feeling the urge to ghost your next big night out, just follow the signs. Dublin’s only a few exits away.