New SWK Ireland National and Nightstalker

**Kent Frazier** · 22nd November 07, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by beowulf67

One question for you: Is that the Ireland National or Irish National Tartan? I know Stillwater sells one of those and USAK sells the other.

And What is the difference?

**Moosedog** · 22nd November 07, 12:31 PM

SWK's Irish National, acrylic blend:

USAK's Ireland's National, P-V blend:

Moosedog

**starbkjrus** · 22nd November 07, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by Moosedog

SWK's Irish National, acrylic blend:

USAK's Ireland's National, P-V blend:

Moosedog

Ummm...I'm not sure what the second pic is but it's definitely not the Ireland's National that Marton Mills makes and USAKilts sells. It's attractive but it's not the one.

**Colin** · 22nd November 07, 01:10 PM

here' s the Ireland's National as woven by Marton Mills. http://www.usakilts.com/tartans/irelandsnational.jpg and the Irish national that Stillwater carries http://www.stillwaterkilts.com/Resou...kskin06ab.jpeg

Irish National is a protected tartan and Stillwater is an approved retailer. From their site:

The original Irish National Tartan™ has proven to be very popular, many of you may not realize that House of Edgar woolen mills is the registered owner of the Irish National Tartan™ name and design. It was designed in 1996 by Polly Wittering for House of Edgar.

We are pleased to announce that Stillwater Kilts has entered into a licensing partnership with House of Edgar woolen mills in Scotland, and we are now the exclusive North American source of authentic Irish National Tartan™ kilts and other items made from synthetic fabrics. We plan to expand our offering of products in this popular tartan over the coming year

Ireland's national is another Irish tartan range that is available. To my knowledge neither are official tartans.

I think the second tartan shown in Moosedog's post is the Scottish National tartan.

**Moosedog** · 22nd November 07, 01:30 PM

Doh! Colin, you are absultely right...I uploaded the wrong photo for the second one, so sorry. Yes, it is the Scottish National. Thanks for posting the correct one and clearing this up.

Moosedog (must drink more coffee...)

**Kent Frazier** · 22nd November 07, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by Colin

...To my knowledge neither are official tartans.

I think the second tartan shown in Moosedog's post is the Scottish National tartan.

If neither are "official" would they fall into the "fashion" category? What about the Scottish National?

I'm still new at all this. I just found out I have Irish roots from my paternal great grandmother's side. So I would like to ad an "Irish" tartan to my wanted list.

**macwilkin** · 22nd November 07, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Kent Frazier

If neither are "official" would they fall into the "fashion" category? What about the Scottish National?

I'm still new at all this. I just found out I have Irish roots from my paternal great grandmother's side. So I would like to ad an "Irish" tartan to my wanted list.

Yes. To be an "official" tartan, they would need to be recognised by some sort of governmental authority; in the case of the Irish National Tartan, it would be the Irish government. That doesn't mean it has any less meaning to someone with Irish heritage, just that it is not officially recognized.

Regards,

Todd

**beowulf67** · 22nd November 07, 08:47 PM

Kent, if you compare the two they are different tartans but both use the same colors and the names are close enough it's easy to get them confused. At least it's easy for me too. :-) The one difference that stands out to me is when you compare them, the white on one replaces the gold on the other, and vice versa. That's how it looks to me anyway, but I'm not that knowledgeable about this. Some of the others on here can give you much more info about the differences, I'm sure.

If you know where in Ireland your family is from, you can also find county tartans, or the solid saffron or green kilts are often worn to represent Irish roots as well. SWK has the saffron heavyweight with the "shadow" tartan that is on my wish list.

**Amoskeag** · 23rd November 07, 06:44 PM

Nice pics! What style is it? I'm trying to get an idea of what the different SWK styles are like, if they are at all different. I think the Irish Nat. is the route for me, my inlaws are first generation Irish and I'm the first non Irish guy in the family. I think they'd like that.
Bob

**OFCJAX** · 25th November 07, 06:35 AM

Not sure how it was supposed to be sold. Thrify, Standard, Heavyweight, or Economy. I got it as a "Blemmish/Irregular" closeout. PM Jerry @SWK and maybe he could tell you. Let me know while you're at it