Irish Tartans Questions

[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.

[gilmore]

...Of course you can always go with Saffron.

That's what I did. My nephew wears a Stillwater Irish National, also because he goes to Colorado State University, whose home colors are green and yellow, away color is white. He may have started a trend at the football games there. Others have appeared.

[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.

[macwilkin]

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.

Good point, gilmore. Some scholars believe it was woven in Ireland, and then sent to the Highlands where it was made into the pair of trews, as per the article on the Ulster-Scots agency. And yes, it's pedigree is certainly more Scottish than Irish, much like the Ulster-Scots themselves.

Cheers,

Todd