Good Afternoon, Hello from a fellow kilt wearer in Ireland

[johnkelly]

Hello to everone from Ireland,

Found this form today while surfing, Its great to see such intrest world wide in a time when kilts seemd to be a dying thing.

I will try back later in chat to see if there is anyone around.

Best regards

John

[philibeg]

Please visit us again, you're more than welcome here...

[GMan]

John,

WELCOME Glad that you found us

Am looking forward to hear about your kilting experiences.

Again glad that you are here!

[KiltedBishop]

Welcome! Always nice to see Irish stepping up. I myself am one of the wandering Irish, but long to see it. Just afraid I won't want to leave! So welcome from a proud Irishman, american made, but the blood is thick!

[johnkelly]

Hi Philibeg, And Glen.

Thank you both for your welcome.

I live in the west of Ireland.

I grew up in the gaeltacht which is the traditional area of Ireland, Next stop America.

My Mother ran the local craft and woollens shop, Sadly my dad died when I was eight so I grew up in a house with a older sister and my mother.
From a young age I wore the kilt, most people think that the kilt is worn in Scotland only, But in Ireland it is worn in traditional areas for formal wear generally Sundays and special occasions, for pipe bands, Irish dancing, wedding, and Scout troupes depending on the area and some of the older church run secondary schools.
We wear two types of kilt, solid colour kilts generally for Irish dancing, and scouts who generally wear saffron or a dark green kilt, Or tartan kilts worn by schools, and pipe band although some bands wear solid kilts as well.
can always remember wearing kilts as a kid, Every Sunday I wore a kilt for church sometimes changing when I got home, sometimes wearing it for the day when we went out for lunch and a drive. Generally at Easter and Always at Christmas I wore a kilt for at least Christmas day and the church events, I was never keen on the kilt at the time. When my dad died mum used to bundle me off to Irish dancing, piano lessons and ballet. The biggest decision of my life up to then was when it was time to go to secondary school, I had the choice of two schools the vocational school which was a state school which taught the regular subjects as well as trade subjects like woodwork and metalwork.
The other school was ran by the church, but was funded on its attendance by the state and the extra money needed was raised through fund raising or by parents.
The school was old but had very modern science facilities, and had received a state grant for a new computer lab, The vocational school was support to be building a computer lab, I wanted to do computers so I chose St Mary’s, The only down side in my mind was that the kilt was part of the uniform and that a number of my friends were going to the vocational school, Although a few were going to my new school as well.
This bothered me a little but it was not like I was not wearing them all ready,
My sister went to the same school was in her final year there when I started so mum was a little happier that I decided to go there.
We all wore navy jackets, ties, white shirts, and bottle green socks, the girls wore long tartan skirts and we wore the kilt.
I remember trying on the uniform a few weeks before starting secondary school and being pleased that was until the night before going back, then I panicked when I saw my jacket and kilt hanging in my room for the next morning, I felt I had made a terrible mistake but there was no going back.
The following morning I got dressed and faced my friends, the guys that went to vocational school were having the laugh, My other friends were in much the same state as I was, I did not want them to think I enjoyed wearing kilt so I complained.
I got through the first day, Changed the minute I got home but in time changed less and less to the point I was more comfortable in a kilt than anything else.
Now I wear the kilt for New Years Eve, some wedding and when ever I can.
Sadly they are now worn as much now, But are making a comeback.
Its great to see a intrest in other countries.

John

[KiltedBishop]

What a wonderful indiviual history. My own family came from Ireland during the famine and decided "we're american now" and as such I have had a hard time finding any family history, though I feel a very strong tie to Ireland. these little bits are wondeful. Thanks for sharing!

[johnkelly]

The Famine Was a bad time here, Although Ireland has moved on now, Multi Cultural, Multi race.

I grew up in connemara, The only place culture seemed to stay, They are actually now making the english place names illegal out there which is nice in ways.

Connemara is dependant on tourists, and cottage crafts, there are gaeltacht grants to set up factorys and provide employment, although the planning premission is another story.

Childhood was simpler at home, and in ways still is.
Life was a slower simpler pace, familys got on, neighbours are important.
Everone helped each other out.
Now living in galway 60 miles or so from home its much different.

They say that the irish abroad, embrace culture, traditions, dress a lot better than the irish at home.

I must did out some pics of us dancing and the home area the site.

John

[philibeg]

Hey John,

Thanks for your postings, very very interesting...are you a step or a set dancer? I love set dancing, but have never yet seen a kilt at a ceili (I wore one once dancing here in holland and found it cool and comfortable..but I don't dare to wear it really)...is the kilt more for step or sean nos dancing, than perhaps for the set?

Great to have you aboard and hear of the Irish experience and traditions...

[johnkelly]

Hi Philibeg,

I wore the kilt for irish step dancing,although since riverdance came along the kilt has been dying out to be replaced with black pants and shirt. Even the girls dresses have gone very simple in some cases.

The traditionalists feel that the legs movements are clearer in a kilt, and to be honests it much easier to dance in a kilt.
When I was younger the kilt horrified me, but as you grow older you care less what people might think.

[Riverkilt]

Welcome JohnKelly,

A pleasure to have more Irish aboard.

My grandfather Murdoch was no fan of the Irish, rudely overlooking the Irish lineage of his wife, my grandmother.

I've been working on that Irish lineage and pondering an Irish kilt for my wish list.

So cool to have you share your experiences with the kilt and with old Ireland.

Ron