Irish Tartans Questions

[Gàidhlig]

So in essence, a County Kerry tartan is just as historically accurate as giving her a worn pint mug full of ale and saying "Drink up ya ginny"?

[gilmore]

So in essence, a County Kerry tartan is just as historically accurate as giving her a worn pint mug full of ale and saying "Drink up ya ginny"?

Less so. Ale had been drunk from worn mugs in Ireland for many centuries before Irish tartans emerged.

Most Scottish tartans were invented in the early to mid-19th century. In the late 19th century a few Irish nationalists started the idea of kilts as a symbol of pan-Celtic identity. It was another hundred years before almost all Irish tartans made their appearance.

If your wife is an American whose family has roots in Virginia, it might be more historically accurate to dress her as a native American of the Powhatan tribe, since many Bowlings are descended from them through Pocahantas (as am I.) Of course, the neighbors are likely to gossip about exposed tattooed bosoms, but that's a small price to pay for historical accuracy.

[macwilkin]

Most Scottish tartans were invented in the early to mid-19th century. In the late 19th century a few Irish nationalists started the idea of kilts as a symbol of pan-Celtic identity. It was another hundred years before almost all Irish tartans made their appearance.

One noteable exception is the "Ulster" tartan, which dates from the late 1500s-early 1600s and was discovered by a farmer in the 1950's in the form of a pair of trews which had been buried:

http://www.ulsterscotsagency.com/tartanandkilts.asp

Regards,

Todd

[auld argonian]

Yeah...I wouldn't get too weird about the Irish County Tartans being of recent vintage...whether they are or not, it's still a nice thought and that's what's important.

They would certainly be as legitimate as, say, some Tartan that was cooked up for something like an on-line kiltie community...not that such a thing is likely to happen.

Best

AA

[davedove]

One noteable exception is the "Ulster" tartan, which dates from the late 1500s-early 1600s and was discovered by a farmer in the 1950's in the form of a pair of trews which had been buried:

http://www.ulsterscotsagency.com/tartanandkilts.asp

Regards,

Todd

But even though the tartan itself is old, that just means it existed back then. It didn't have any official recognition.

[James MacMillan]

But even though the tartan itself is old, that just means it existed back then. It didn't have any official recognition.

Official recognition is itself a very slippery slope. What is "Official?" For Scottish Clans, it has come to be the Clan Chief's seal of approval. For other odd organizations, like an up-start internet clan , it is general acceptance and use. Business', Club's, Countries, Counties, Cities, Reunions, etc etc all have a right to "Officially" establish a tartan.

Take my beloved Leatherneck tartan, for instance. Through the hard work of Bob Hall, who designed and registered our tartan, the Marines have something that they call their own. Has the Marine Corps sanctioned or made this tartan "Official?" NO. Does that mean that all Marines, past and present are any less proud to wear it? No.

By far the best thing that you can do regarding wearing any tartan, and I mean any, is to make peace with yourself for wearing it. If you feel more comfortable wearing a district tartan, then, by all means do so.

There is also nothing that says you can't design a tartan yourself and place your own name, or the name of your beloved, on it.

and before I forget from Sunny Southern California!

[davedove]

By far the best thing that you can do regarding wearing any tartan, and I mean any, is to make peace with yourself for wearing it. If you feel more comfortable wearing a district tartan, then, by all means do so.

So very true.

There is also nothing that says you can't design a tartan yourself and place your own name, or the name of your beloved, on it.

Just waiting for the cloth to be woven.

[The Wizard of BC]

And to further muddy the waters about Irish Tartans....Each weaving mill is free to weave anything they want and three of them have done what they call the "Official" Irish Tartans. The most notable is Marton Mills which call theirs "Irish Clan Crest Tartans".
Then there are the Irish National, Irish Heritage, etc.
Of course you can always go with Saffron.

[macwilkin]

But even though the tartan itself is old, that just means it existed back then. It didn't have any official recognition.

That wasn't my point, Dave. My point was that the Ulster tartan did not originate in the 19th century, when Irish nationalists began to adopt Highland attire as some sort of "pan-Celtic" garment.

Todd

[gilmore]

That wasn't my point, Dave. My point was that the Ulster tartan did not originate in the 19th century, when Irish nationalists began to adopt Highland attire as some sort of "pan-Celtic" garment.

Todd

The Ulster tartan occurred to me, but I think it could be distinguished from the later Irish tartans as it was most likely worn by Scots (or a Scot) who probably would not have identified themselves as being Irish, but as Scots merely living in Ireland at the time. It is a beautiful tartan IMHO.