Quote Originally Posted by cajunscot View Post
Gents,

As interesting as this discussion is, let's try to steer the thread back "on-topic", if you please.

Regards,

Todd
Ok then, but to paraphrase the honourable gentleman we were conversing whilst wearing kilts.

Mr O'Callaghan,
Your existing Cork tartan colours are.... imaginative let's say. If you are not comfortable with that and want something "authentic" (whatever that means) then IMHO you have a few options. (Although if I were you, I would just enjoy the kilts you have, knowing that to you they represent Cork and your family ties.)

In short, if you want an "authentic" Irish tartan your choices are very limited. Pretty much Ulster, Clodagh and Tara. They don't represent Cork per se, but they are "authentic" as in they predate 1980 .

If you want a tartan that represents a county (Cork) you could:

a) Choose one of the previously mentioned county tartans of designed by people who didn't seem to have much of a clue, and managed to make some damn ugly tartans in the process (I have to admit though some are nice)

b) You could choose colours that you think represent the county of choice (I think a predominantly red and white tartan would be good for Cork) and promote that, at least to yourself, as the new county tartan. You could restrict your search to non-clan tartans if you put any truck in that.

c) Design your own, which would be as authentic as the others, probably more so considering you have actually heard of GAA and know the county colours of Cork are red and white. Probably a bit expensive though.

d) follow the "tradition" of Irish kilts and get a solid coloured non-tartan one. A solid colour kilt in Cork red with a white shirt would probably be visually very impressive, and it could double as Arsenal kit

Again, if I were you, I would just enjoy what you have, knowing what it means to you, whatever about it's "authenticity". The county (or Corporation) crests that are being matched by some of the tartans you mentioned are not exactly well known within Ireland anyway. Unfortunately for you Cork's two towers crest is probably one of the best known. I had to look mine up (Westmeath) and can only ever remember that there is a swan on it