From what you say, the fella must have thought that he was going to "do a little speech" there and demonstrate his "brilliant managerial skills". If he felt that it was unprofessional, that was all he needed to say. To go on about "Irish Day" and "transy" (it's "tranny", by the way) and make a scene...that's unprofessional. Obviously under the mistaken impression that he's Al Pacino and this is the end of Scent of a Woman or And Justice For All...time to make the grandstanding speech.

I'm sure that you'll take it up with the uber-boss and sort it out...things can usually be settled amicably when cooler heads prevail. Things like this seem to be settled best when both sides accept some of the blame (even if you really aren't responsible) and apologize to each other, agree on a future course of action and shake hands. Sounds like this fella needs an "out" from his untenable position so the suggestion that you apologize for not having given him advance notice coupled with your uber-boss telling him that he had given you permission might set the thing up so that he has some room to be conciliatory.

Good luck with this...sorry that you had to deal with such a small mind. Maybe it's because I live in a large city that's reasonably cosmopolitan that I never cease to be amazed (and dismayed) when I hear about things like this.

Best

AA