Quote Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome View Post
As a Catholic myself, I certainly would not be offended if you wear it. I realize that the color orange has certain politico-religious connotations in Ireland, but my feeling is that someone who chooses to take offense simply because the tartan you are wearing contains that color, would probably also be offended by citrus fruit and traffic cones. If someone should get offended and ask if you are an Orangeman, etc., just explain that the tartan is the Dutch tartan and you are wearing it because your family is part Dutch. That should be enough of an explanation for anyone.
Apologies for any confusion regarding the news article. It is, however, perhaps difficult to explain certain parts of culture over here, and not just in Ireland. The Dutch House of Orange is not only seen as a symbol of Protestantism, but also as a symbol of Anti-Catholicism by many. Try stepping into an Orange Lodge, as I have many, many times and telling me it isn't so. I don't want to go against forum rules, but although I can't recall any examples of anyone being offended by citrus fruit or traffic cones, I can tell you from first hand experience that there are people offended by the colour of boiler suits, (coveralls in the US?), company motor vehicles, carpets, and in the case of one man, electrical cabling. There used to be a fashion for having pet budgerigars, several of my relatives had them in the 60's and 70's and you could tell someone's religion by the colour of their budgerigar. I could give many more examples from both sides of the sectarian divide, but I think that's sad enough as it is.

I was born and raised in the Grampian area far away from any sectarianism or religious divide but on visiting my Father's immediate family in Glasgow, Motherwell and Hamilton on a regular basis I was immediately stepping out into another culture, where by not wearing colours I'd be continually asked if I was a "Proddy or a Pape". This had such a strong effect on me, that I decided to be neither more than 35 years ago, and I remain that way.

But, as I said earlier, it's extremely unlikely anyone would recognise the tartan as having any House of Orange connection. Best wishes for the wedding.