The Kilt's use in Irish Nationalism

[macwilkin]

Although surely his can't be said for the whole country? The Ulster-Scots movement, in particular the Orange Order, seem to have a long history of wearing kilts, and having kilted pipers in their parades.
I've not actually seen a parade myself, as I tend to stay away due to my own political and religious background, and also due to fear of my personal safety. But coverage in the local papers still seem to showing many in kilts, and many more flying Saltires.

I'll tip-toe very carefully in my response, but I can't say I've seen much evidence of the Loyalist community in Ulster wearing kilts (save the Northern Irish regiment's pipers) before the Second World War. One would think that if it were done, the 36th (Ulster) Division would have had pipers at the Somme, or its pre-war predecessors, the Ulster Volunteer Force, Young Citizen Volunteers, etc. -- but so far, I haven't seen anything that confirms it. That doesn't mean it didn't happen, though -- I'd love to be proven wrong in that regard.

In an interesting note, the US Marines, whilst stationed in Londonderry during WWII, did organize a pipe band, although the Leathernecks did not adopt Highland kit.

In regards to Irish Nationalism, that was a very interesting article. I had heard of some aspects (mostly from history class back in school) but I wasn't aware of the wearing if the kilt in Pearse's school.
Have you seen any evidence of James Connolly ever being kilted. Being from the Cowgate in Edinburgh, I'm assuming it would have been something he would have been familiar with growing up. Although I know that he did try to distance himself from his Scottish birth, so maybe he would have tried avoiding such an obvious connection.

Again, I can't say I've seen any evidence of Connolly as a kilt-wearer. Both he and Jack White (one of the other organisers of the Irish Citizen Army) were ex-British Army (White was a Major who was awarded the DSO), but I don't believe either of them were in Scottish regiments. Ironically, White and Connolly adopted the Boer slouch hat as the ICA's headgear, rather than Highland kit.

It's an interesting observation you make though, as many rankers in the Scottish regiments were Glesca Irish, especially "Hell's Last Issue", the Highland Light Infantry.

T.

[Blackrose87]

I'll tip-toe very carefully in my response, but I can't say I've seen much evidence of the Loyalist community in Ulster wearing kilts (save the Northern Irish regiment's pipers) before the Second World War.

I can't say I know too much about it really, but my Grandfather still carries on some Ulster-Scots cultures, including speaking fluent scots and singing Gaelic. However, I'm positive he has never worn a kilt in his life. I know two of his brothers were in the OO but I've never met them, so I don't know if any of the rest of the family wore kilts, even if just for parades or lodge meetings

The majority of that side of the family disowned my father after he married my mother and moved to Derry, so unfortunately I am quite ignorant of their culture and history.