Ireland here we come!

**McNulty** · 8th May 13, 02:35 PM

My wife and I are going to Ireland this summer. We are starting off in Dublin, driving north to the Giants Causeway, west to Derry, South to Westport, Clifton, Doolin, Galway , and the Aran Islands. We are spending two weeks there for The Gathering and visiting family places. My question is, since I will be kilted all the time (I'm kilted all the time here at home), is there any tartan I should NOT wear when up in Donegal or anywhere else. We do not want to offend anyone. I'll probably be wearing my MacKenzie, BlackWatch, Royal and or Black Stewart, and maybe one other. Any ideas will do. Thanx folks!
McNulty

**planemaker** · 8th May 13, 02:49 PM

Have a great time. My fiance and I are going in September. We are starting in Dublin as well for 3 days, take the train to Galway then hop the ferry to the Aran Islands for a couple of days. We are doing a photography workshop in Dingle for four days then drive to Cork for a week. We are going to do some Gathering events as well. As to your kilts, I would stay away from the Royal Stewart. A lot of people are still sensitive to the British.

Paul

**rlh2** · 8th May 13, 03:11 PM

I have no input on which tartans not to wear, but I do wish you well on your trip. Take lots of pictures. I'm sure there are many on here wanting to see the Emerald Isle.

**John_Carrick** · 8th May 13, 03:45 PM

I have only lived here 10 years and I have not encountered any negativity about any tartan. I doubt people will discern between tartans, either to welcome recently invented commercial Irish tartans as part of their heritage or react against particular Scottish tartans as symbolic of bad things from the past.
There are people with strong opinions about historical events but they are unlikely to offload these on innocent tourists or reflect the normal and friendly relationship between the UK and RoI today.
John

**pbutts** · 8th May 13, 03:52 PM

Definitely spend time on the Aran Islands. We went in 1990 and the sweater I bought on the island still has that peat smell!

**Richrail** · 8th May 13, 03:59 PM

I'm jealous, my wife I and had wanted to go to Ireland this year for our 25th anniversary. But my daughter decided she wanted to get married. So we're going to try next year to visit Ireland and Scotland.

**McNulty** · 8th May 13, 05:01 PM

My main concern is NOT to offend. I know there are still some hard/harsh feelings between the Irish and the Brits. I do not want to be walking around like an insensitive American tourist. We are going to the Aran Islands for two days, the Cliffs of Moher, and my family heritage along the N.W. coast in Donegal. We look forward to some of the music fests, the culture, and festivals along the way. We want to stay away from the big cities and soak in the countryside. We would go for langer but hard to do on a teacher's salary. We are hooking up with a friend who is a tour guide and she will be with us for 3-4 days showing us some of the lesser known but still well worth the time sites. It should be a great trip
McNulty

**seanachie** · 8th May 13, 06:22 PM

I am envious of you. It has been too long since I have been back. I still have family in Moycullen. I understand the need for thrift. I love to travel and have done so on a shoe string budget for many years. Researching the less commercial B&Bs which might save a little money is worth the time. A good Irish breakfast at your lodging in the morning, supplemented by a snack or small meal put together from purchases at the grocers is one way to save. I have had the luck a few times that the "man of the house" has asked me to accompany me to his local, which has never been a touristy spot and makes breaking the ice a little easier. I have had a few delightful evenings this way. Time may be a factor but Galway in summer can be kind of packed. I love Connemara and if you have time to wander further towards Clifden there are many nice spots. If you do get to Clifden a wonderful drive is on the Skye Road. As far as offence goes, I think knowing your audience and listening more and talking less (at least for myself) has been a good rule of thumb in areas where controversy may arise. I have been in the Crown Bar in Belfast when someone started getting too loud with their thoughts and it was a tad uncomfortable. My wife has built homes in a few neighborhoods in the North as part of a charitable organization and had a team member who decided to proselytize, that did not go over very well either. But those can well be chalked up to common sense. Have a great trip.

**RockyR** · 15th May 13, 05:41 AM

While most won't know or care, there are those who may take offense to the Black Watch tartan (i.e. the "Government Sett" that the British Military wears) and perhaps the Royal Stewart tartan (same basic reason). Pretty much any other tartan should be fine.

**cessna152towser** · 15th May 13, 06:10 AM

I have worn Cunningham, Wilson and County Armagh tartans in Northern Ireland and also the County Armagh in Eire, and had no problems.
My Wilson ancestors came from County Armagh. Nobody I met there recognised either the Wilson tartan or the modern County Armagh tartan.
One thing I would say is that the kilt turns a lot more heads in Belfast or Dublin than it would in Glasgow or Edinburgh. Provided you don't mind the attention, the people are very friendly and their comments on your kilts should be positive.