Irish tartan Question

[Mr. Kilt]

Just curious about the "Irish National" tartan. Is it for the Republic or for Northern Ireland? I like the looks of it, but as my family came from N. Ireland I'd like to know a bit more about it first.
Stillwater Kilts has some IN kilts on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...40442&tc=photo

[macwilkin]

Al,

Good question: I don't believe that the tartan has been officially sanction by the Republic, so I would assume that the "national" refers to the Irish nation as a people, and not as an a government. Someone who was from Northern Ireland certainly could choose to wear it, but I would recommend the Red Ulster Tartan to you over the Irish National:

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

http://www.lindaclifford.com/IrishUlsterSA.html

(This web page has both the Red & Weathered version of the tartan)

Cheers,

T.

[GMan]

Al,

I just checked with Zaczek's book World Tartans and it said that it is a modern trade tartan. The inspiration for it came from Jo Nisbet of Pipers Cove, in Kearney, New Jersey.

With that said I have heard what Todd has said about it being connected to the Republic.

[Freelander Sporrano]

The Irish national. Was designed in 1996
And can be worn By Irish ex-pats or anyone with Irish Ancestry....Or in my opinion Just if you like it.

[highlandtide]

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/xbay_stillwater.php

[bear]

Sod the politics! Wear what you please.

[macwilkin]

Bear,

Please don't think I was suggesting the Ulster Tartan v. the Irish National Tartan on the basis of politics. On the contrary; I recommended the Ulster tartan because Al said his relatives were from Northern Ireland, and the Ulster Tartan has such a unique history (a 300 year-old tartan, found in a bog, one of the few pre-Culloden tartans around, etc.) The Irish National is a fine tartan, but the Ulster has a great story to go along with it, and is an "authentic" ancient tartan in every sense of the world.

Cheers,

T.

[bubba]

Sodding will give you a nice lawn fast.

[bear]

Bear,

Please don't think I was suggesting the Ulster Tartan v. the Irish National Tartan on the basis of politics. On the contrary; I recommended the Ulster tartan because Al said his relatives were from Northern Ireland, and the Ulster Tartan has such a unique history (a 300 year-old tartan, found in a bog, one of the few pre-Culloden tartans around, etc.) The Irish National is a fine tartan, but the Ulster has a great story to go along with it, and is an "authentic" ancient tartan in every sense of the world.

Cheers,

T.

I wasn't intentionally singling anyone out, episcopalscot.
There have been several threads in which people have been warned that wearing their tartans in particular places could lead to trouble.
I just think it's silly to say one can wear this tartan but not in this place, or it might be dangerous if you wear that tartan in that place.
We are supposed to be the rational creatures of this planet and we still cling to colours to tell us who we are and what our status is, just like a peacock.
It's as foolish as Bloods and Crips killing each other for wearing the wrong colour bandana in the wrong neighbourhood.
I like the colours of the Irish National Tartan and the Ulster Red. As I can get the Ulster Red in town, I would choose that for myself. The Irish National tartan (wool) is copyrighted by one weaver and I don't like their price.
Marton Mills in England, where I (and now some other kiltmakers) get poly/viscose tartans, won't make it because of the copyright. I respect that decision. It shows Marton Mills' honesty.

[Mychael Sporrano]

I just think it's silly to say one can wear this tartan but not in this place, or it might be dangerous if you wear that tartan in that place.
We are supposed to be the rational creatures of this planet and we still cling to colours to tell us who we are and what our status is, just like a peacock.
It's as foolish as Bloods and Crips killing each other for wearing the wrong colour bandana in the wrong neighbourhood.

Well put, Bear.

Mychael