Irish Ancestry tartans

**Mike_Oettle** · 2nd April 13, 10:32 AM

Going through the latest registrations from the Scottish Register of Tartans, I see that Rocky Roeger has brought out four for people with Irish ancestry.
Not sure why he felt it necessary to add to the already confusing number of Irish district tartans.
I feel Ulster Red (or any other of the Ulster colour combinations) perfectly adequate for people of Ulster descent, and there are existing tartans for Leinster, Munster and Connaught (several there!).
Perhaps Rocky would like to respond and give his reasons, not only for producing the “Ancestry” series, but also for the colour choices he has made.
Regards,
Mike

**RockyR** · 2nd April 13, 10:54 AM

Mike,

We've been asked by a few customers for the Munster, Leinster and Connaught tartans before to be made into a kilt (it's been mentioned up here a few times as well). Of the 4 Irish Provinces, only Ulster is stocked by any of the mills in 13 or 16 oz cloth. Lochcarron designed their own Leinster / Connaught / Munster tartans several years ago and stocks them in 11 oz only.

A little history... back in December of 2012, USA Kilts purchased the copyright on the Irish County Crest tartans (as well as Irish American and Ireland's National tartans) from Gaelic Themes (aka Viking Technologies). Marton Mills is the only mill to weave those tartans, having had Gaelic Themes' permission in the past and now having ours with the change in copyright ownership. We had discussed with with Marton Mills the Provinces and the fact that no one weaves them in 13 or 16 oz. Since Lochcarron designed the 3 tartans for Leinster / Connaught / Munster, we thought it impolite / improper to take their designs to a different mill to be woven.

We set about creating 4 (including Ulster) NEW Irish Province tartans based on the colors used in their crests / flag:

As the Scottish Tartan Register gave us reasons why we could not use the term "crest" (which I will admit was a bit confusing since all of the Irish County CREST tartans use the word "crest" in the name and we were adding these 4 to that collection, but that's neither here nor there), we were asked to choose another name. The register suggested "Pride of _____", but that's been done time and time again, so we selected another name: "______ Ancestry Tartan". All we have done is taken the color ques from each province's crest and used them as the basis for the colors in the tartans. We've also secured a mill which will weave them in 16 oz and hold them as stock tartans which any company can order.

**O'Searcaigh** · 2nd April 13, 10:59 AM

There is also a tartan for County Tyrone -- of which I had a kilt made not so long ago. Why? 'cause Tyrone is the county of origin for my family name and I really really liked the colors/sett. I'm not sure why the relatively few "Irish district tartans" should be regarded as "confusing," especially when compared to the hundreds of "Scottish" tartans for various clans, districts, families and in multiple (hunting, weathered, dress....) presentations. I could only find the "Irish Heritage" tartan on the Registry. What are the other three Rocky? I'd love to see them!!!

**davidlpope** · 2nd April 13, 11:46 AM

Rocky,

I looked up the Ulster Ancestry tartan and think you wimped out a little...I was hoping for something that would rival Dress MacMillan!

**RockyR** · 2nd April 13, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by davidlpope

Rocky,

I looked up the Ulster Ancestry tartan and think you wimped out a little...I was hoping for something that would rival Dress MacMillan!

HAHAHA.... That was a fear of ours. Kelly was the one to design the Ulster Ancestry tartan (I did the other 3) and I think she did a bang up job, considering the colors in the crest.

O'Searcaigh... Here's a link to the 4 Province Ancestry tartans we recently registered:

http://tartanregister.gov.uk/qResult...tring=ancestry

**Mike_Oettle** · 3rd April 13, 09:52 AM

Like David Pope, I was also hoping to see an Ulster design that bore some resemblance to MacMillan Dress. The yellow and white are lost in all that black, and even the red is overshadowed.
Regards,
Mike

**RockyR** · 3rd April 13, 11:08 AM

Sorry to disappoint you, Mike. She based the design on what she thought would be a 'good design' as well as what she thought would be commercially viable. The customers looking for a "loud MacLeod" type color scheme are fewer and further between than those looking for something like what we registered. Nothing WRONG with Loud MacLeod (I happen to like it), but we're looking for mass appeal.

**Tartan Tess** · 3rd April 13, 06:03 PM

I get alot of requests for Ulster tartan and this adds a forth to my list! Thanks

**Zardoz** · 3rd April 13, 08:00 PM

well for what it's worth, I think they look great! My folks hailed from Leinster and Munster, so I'll be putting those on the wish list. Especially the Munster... Now if I just had any money

**seanachie** · 4th April 13, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by RockyR

Mike,

As the Scottish Tartan Register gave us reasons why we could not use the term "crest" (which I will admit was a bit confusing since all of the Irish County CREST tartans use the word "crest" in the name and we were adding these 4 to that collection, but that's neither here nor there), we were asked to choose another name. The register suggested "Pride of _____", but that's been done time and time again, so we selected another name: "______ Ancestry Tartan". All we have done is taken the color ques from each province's crest and used them as the basis for the colors in the tartans. We've also secured a mill which will weave them in 16 oz and hold them as stock tartans which any company can order.

This comment made me think, too, the Registry would do well to have a designation other than Fashion tartan for these. Perhaps just me but I draw a negative from that. Heritage, one that came right to the front of my mind, or something else would seem a better fit to me.