Wearing a Caubeen

[Brian Boru]

Greetings to all, and a Merry New Year.
Just before Christmas, I ordered a Caubeen from Alexis Malcolm Kilt Co. in Florida in Kelly Green in the Royal Irish Rangers style. I wanted something a little different, I have been wearing it with my kilts instead of a TOS. I find myself explaining when I get asked why I'm wearing a beret with my kilt, and not the "hat with the pom-pom on top?"

I tried to explain to one woman that it is Irish, and has nothing to do with the French. I've also had one fellow ask me if I was a former Green Beret, and I replied that I was former Navy and not Army, I got a kick out of the look of confusion that caused as he tried to figure out why an ex-sailor was wearing an Army hat. It's a sharp looking cover, and goes well with my Blackwatch and my Irish Nat'l tartan and it is a bit different than the Glengarrys and Balmorals, and with my Irish name cap badge on it, it really stands out.

Regards,

Brian

[Mael Coluim]

Good you, Brian! I got one from J Byous Co. to wear with my St. Columba and St. Patrick kilts. I'm of Scottish ancestry that originated from the Irish Gaels.

[Detroitpete]

Brian,
How are they for customer service? I'm thinking about ordering some military insignia items from them. They seem to be one of the few providers who have a number of items available with military insignia available.

[Nervous Jock]

My understanding is the Caubeen as worn by RIR is actually Scottish, may be an urban myth but its a good one.

[macwilkin]

My understanding is the Caubeen as worn by RIR is actually Scottish, may be an urban myth but its a good one.

It's certainly more truth than myth, Jock, as the Irish regiments adopted many elements of traditional Highland uniforms around the turn of the century for pipers and drummers.

Ironically, in the Irish Defence Forces, a caubeen is actually known as a "glengarry".

Regards,

Todd

[Sionnach]

Pictures?! sounds very nice.

[macwilkin]

Pictures?! sounds very nice.

http://www.londonirishrifles.com/caubeen.cfm

http://www.royalirishrangers.co.uk/uniform.html

http://st.louis.irish.tripod.com/

Regards,

Todd

[billmcc]

...How are they for customer service?...

I bought a USAF kilt pin and several other items from Alexis Malcolm. Customer service has always been top notch.

[Skipper1]

Hi - I am also of mixed heritage in that my family is orginally Irish but hails from the Island of Barra (linked to the Doherty Clann and MacNiel of Barra) I also wear a Caubeen from J Boyus - the Canadian style - I have been very happy with it though (as with my service beret) it has taken a few wettings to get it shaped just right. Wickapedia has a very good short history of the caubeen - try http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caubeen.

A little more info at http://www.londonirishrifles.com/caubeen.cfm

I was wondering about your irish name cap badge - where did that come from? I woudl be very interested in one/

[macwilkin]

Hi - I am also of mixed heritage in that my family is orginally Irish but hails from the Island of Barra (linked to the Doherty Clann and MacNiel of Barra) I also wear a Caubeen from J Boyus - the Canadian style - I have been very happy with it though (as with my service beret) it has taken a few wettings to get it shaped just right. Wickapedia has a very good short history of the caubeen - try http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caubeen.

A little more info at http://www.londonirishrifles.com/caubeen.cfm

I was wondering about your irish name cap badge - where did that come from? I woudl be very interested in one/

I quoted the London Irish web site above, Skipper.

T.