Saffron Kilt and Irish Regiment of Canada

[Jimmy]

While over in Dublin at the weekend, we visited the National Museum at Collins Barracks, what an interesting place, particularly for any student of military history.
In one section, I came across a display on the Irish Regiment of Canada, organised in Toronto in 1915, the formation of this regiment was assisted by the Irish Club of Toronto and the Irish Rifle Club.
The regiment were the only Irish regiment to wear the kilt, a saffron kilt, from 1931.
They were accompanied throughout World War 11 by their own Pipe band and received a multitude of awards in both World wars.
Their Quick March is Garry Owen, (is that not what the seventh cavalry under Custer had? ) and their Slow March is Endearing Young Charms.

A totally fascinating few hours in this museum, well woth the visit

[kiltedsawyer]

Interesting, thank you for sharing.
V/r
David

[macwilkin]

While over in Dublin at the weekend, we visited the National Museum at Collins Barracks, what an interesting place, particularly for any student of military history.
In one section, I came across a display on the Irish Regiment of Canada, organised in Toronto in 1915, the formation of this regiment was assisted by the Irish Club of Toronto and the Irish Rifle Club.
The regiment were the only Irish regiment to wear the kilt, a saffron kilt, from 1931.
They were accompanied throughout World War 11 by their own Pipe band and received a multitude of awards in both World wars.
Their Quick March is Garry Owen, (is that not what the seventh cavalry under Custer had? ) and their Slow March is Endearing Young Charms.

A totally fascinating few hours in this museum, well woth the visit

You are correct; the 7th US Cavalry Regiment's march is The Garry Owen. It is also the regimental march of the old 69th New York Infantry, which was part of the famous Irish Brigade during the American Civil War.

Regards,

Todd

[Sawney Bean]

Hi,
incidentally the Irish Guards pipers wear a saffron kilt as do the pipers of The Royal Irish Regiment and those of the London Irish Rifles - whose march is also Garryowen* (which is about an 18th century drinking club of well appointed chaps in Limerick). Slainte.

* It was a very popular song during the Victorian era and it probably got into the 7th Cav. via the various Irish members, particularly Miles Keogh an Irish born officer who, I think, served previously with the British Army.

[macwilkin]

Hi,
incidentally the Irish Guards pipers wear a saffron kilt as do the pipers of The Royal Irish Regiment and those of the London Irish Rifles - whose march is also Garryowen* (which is about an 18th century drinking club of well appointed chaps in Limerick). Slainte.

* It was a very popular song during the Victorian era and it probably got into the 7th Cav. via the various Irish members, particularly Miles Keogh an Irish born officer who, I think, served previously with the British Army.

Myles Keogh served with the Papal Army in the 1860s. The myth of Keogh's service may stem from the Errol Flynn movie They Died With Their Boots On, where a fictional ex-British Officer, "Queens Own Butler", teaches Custer the song in an officer's mess at Ft. Abraham Lincoln. Butler mentions the 5th Royal Irish Lancers. Butler is believed to be a composite of Keogh and W.W. Cook, who was a Canadian.

T.

[Jimmy]

Myles Keogh served with the Papal Army in the 1860s. The myth of Keogh's service may stem from the Errol Flynn movie They Died With Their Boots On, where a fictional ex-British Officer, "Queens Own Butler", teaches Custer the song in an officer's mess at Ft. Abraham Lincoln. Butler mentions the 5th Royal Irish Lancers. Butler is believed to be a composite of Keogh and W.W. Cook, who was a Canadian.

T.

The John Wayne movie either Fort Apache or Rio Grande, one of the trilogy he made in the late forties or very early fifties, Myles Keogh is mentioned by name by John Wayne's character after he hears about the massacre at Little Big Horn.
He reads out from the list of soldiers killed saying that some such as Myles Keogh were personal friends of his. I can't remember the name of John Wayne's character but they were 3 of the best films he made

[macwilkin]

The John Wayne movie either Fort Apache or Rio Grande, one of the trilogy he made in the late forties or very early fifties, Myles Keogh is mentioned by name by John Wayne's character after he hears about the massacre at Little Big Horn.
He reads out from the list of soldiers killed saying that some such as Myles Keogh were personal friends of his. I can't remember the name of John Wayne's character but they were 3 of the best films he made

That was She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. There is a scene where Capt. Brittles is visiting his wife's grave, and he tells a story of how Keogh would dance with her at the officer's ball.

INMHO, that was John Wayne's best role ever, especially the scene where Capt. Brittles retires -- "Lest We Forget".

T.

[macwilkin]

Here are several photos of IDF pipers in saffron kilts on UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon), circa 1982:

http://www.unifil.ie/51st%20Irishbatt.html

http://www.unifil.ie/60th%20Irishbatt.html

As an old Model UN'er, I must say that the blue beret looks rather good with a saffron kilt.*

*No comments regarding the UN, please.

T.

[O'Callaghan]

Hi,
incidentally the Irish Guards pipers wear a saffron kilt as do the pipers of The Royal Irish Regiment and those of the London Irish Rifles - whose march is also Garryowen* (which is about an 18th century drinking club of well appointed chaps in Limerick). Slainte.

* It was a very popular song during the Victorian era and it probably got into the 7th Cav. via the various Irish members, particularly Miles Keogh an Irish born officer who, I think, served previously with the British Army.

Pipers in the Irish Air Corps and the Irish Army also wear the saffron kilt, as do even a few civilian pipe bands in the Republic (although most of the latter wear tartan, and some of them wear solid green kilts).

[SFCRick]

Sounds like a great museum