Addendum to "I finally did it!"

[MacSimoin]

Macsim, Matt Newsome and myself are the designers of this particular tartan, which is currently on its way to being recorded in the ITI by the STA. This tartan is intended for wear and use by those of Irish descent bearing (or bearing relation to) the surnames Fitzsimmons, Fitzsimons, Simmons, Simons and MacSimoin. The tartan is shown actual size.

[GlassMan]

Fine looking tartan. Has that weathered look to it. I like it.

[Graham]

Lovely muted colours, love it, sigh so many tartans, so little time :-(

[GMan]

I too want to echo my two kilted brothers response and say that is one awesome looking tartan! Sigh, just when I think I have controlled my desires, you guys tempt me, not that I am complaining.

[Andrew Breecher]

I very much like that tartan. Do the colours have any meaning?

I'll probably create my own "Triple Crown" tartan after finishing the long-distance hikes on my list. I need to give some thought to what it will look like.

Andrew.

[Freelander Sporrano]

Thats one nice tartan ...I love greens...wear it well.

[MacMullen]

I very much like that tartan. Do the colours have any meaning?

I'll probably create my own "Triple Crown" tartan after finishing the long-distance hikes on my list. I need to give some thought to what it will look like.

Andrew.

I can't imagine that, hiking thousands of miles, you'd have much time to think about such things.

I'm looking forward to seeing the Triple Crown Tartan when it's finished.

I also like the "Fitz" tartan. When I first heard of a "Hunting" tartan, that's essentially what I pictured, something that would work well in the woods, and I think this new one has that look.

[MacSimoin]

Thanks for the compliments, everyone.

To answer Andrew Breecher's question about colour meaning:

The earth tones (olive green, dark green, dark tan and light tan) represent the land of Ireland while the colour black is used in remembrance of those of the surname who perished during the Great Famine. I chose to use black in this manner because this is what happened to my own family: Most of my great-great grandfather's family died during the Famine, but he was fortunate enough to survive and immigrate to America. Coincidentally, he shares the same first name of the person who posed the color question. ;)

Although this is not included in the recording form for the tartan, the colours also represent the five main surname variants of the Fitzsimmons Tartan:

Dark Green, Fitzsimmons;
Olive Green, Simmons;
Dark Tan, Fitzsimons;
Light Tan, Simons;
Black, MacSimoin.

FYI, the colors aren't quite as 'weathered' as they appear in the photo; they're a little bit 'brighter' but still they look fantastic together. You can thank Matt Newsome and macsim especially for that.

The actual Fitzsimmons Tartan design was inspired by The House of Edgar's "County Cavan" tartan, not only because of the beauty of that tartan's design but because of the lengthy presence of the aforementioned surnames in that area of Ireland (my great-great grandfather Andrew Fitzsimmons was from Cavan).

This is also the 'final version' of the original "MacSimoin Tartan" that I'd designed and had woven (by the DC Dalgliesh mill) earlier this year. Why the name change? Although the MacSimoin surname is decidedly Gaelic Irish, it has been rarely seen or used for several centuries (the surname first appears in written Irish history during the early 1300's in East Breifne, which is now County Cavan). So, I felt changing the name to "Fitzsimmons" would make the tartan more recognizable and give it a more Irish "feel". A big "Thank You" to Matt Newsome for suggesting the change. :mrgreen:

Thanks again.

[Andrew Breecher]

I can't imagine that, hiking thousands of miles, you'd have much time to think about such things.

I'm looking forward to seeing the Triple Crown Tartan when it's finished.

It's true that when you're hiking you have nothing but time to think about things. Most people assume I think about how to end wars and famines, but I actually spend all day thinking about how to build things out of Lego, and what the Triple Crown tartan might look like. ;)

Thank you, MacSimoin, for the description of the tartan. I love hearing about the creation process, and knowing that every stripe has a reason to be there makes the tartan even more special.

Andrew.

[Ranald]

Love the tartan, like the muted look.Unfortunately not related but would be honoured to wear it.