Irish Tartans at Marton Mills

[MacSimoin]

Keep in mind that these Irish County tartans are, technically speaking, fashion tartans. They have never been officially adopted by the counties themselves. So really, there is nothing to prevent another woolen mill from creating unique designs and naming them for the Irish counties. I suspect that is what is going on here. But I can't say for sure.

Allow me to hop on Matt's bandwagon here---it certainly appears (to me, anyway) that Marton Mills is taking advantage of the fact that none of the House of Edgar Irish County tartans has ever been 'officially adopted' by the counties they're named after. Personally, House of Edgar's tartans look better but I say that because I prefer the darker dyes they used in the creation of these tartans. The competition may be a good thing but House of Edgar has a nine-year head start against the Marton Mills creations...

"In this corner, weighing in at 16 stone and hailing from Perth, Scotland, the ultimate kilt making, kilt designing, kilt registering phenom and the undisputed ICT Champion, THEE HOOUUUSSSSE OFFFFF EEDDDGGGAARRRRRRRRRRRR!!!”

“And introducing tonight’s challenger, weighing in at a wimpy 13 stone and hailing from West Yorkshire, England, the Johnny-come-lately of the ITC division, the upstart, the wannabe tower of power, MARRRTTOONNNN MILLSSS!!!”

Edit: If you take a good look at the Marton Mills "Irish Tartan Crest collection" you'll notice that the colors stem from the colors used in each Irish county coat of arms, something House of Edgar chose not do with the creation of their "Irish County" tartans.

[RockyR]

I think that Matt's right... I believe that MM is trying to steal some of the HOE's thunder... why not? Great for Richard and the MM Crew!

Time to get another swatch book from MM!

[MacSimoin]

Rocky,

Do you plan on selling these Marton Mills tartans/kilts?

[RockyR]

Rocky,

Do you plan on selling these Marton Mills tartans/kilts?

Yup... I'm going to call Richard right now and ask him to send me a swatch book. I may also BEG AND PLEAD with him to weave them in PV! Our Irish customers are BEGGING for "real" Irish tartans in PV, not just a scottish name that "looks Irish" (like Gordon Dress with the Green White and Gold).

Please note that we won't sell the tartan material or kilts made by Marton Mills... we buy the tartans and make the kilts ourselves (just a small point of clarification).

[millar]

So does that explain the differences in the Irish National tartans in this thread?

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=12712

[RockyR]

no... MM only came out with these tartans last week. Their "Ireland's National" is their own design and only came out a week ago.

Also... a correction in my previous post... Richard left MM a month ago. Duncan is running it currently.

I called them up this morning and spoke to someone about having the Irish tartans woven in PV. Right now, they are only doing them in wool to see how the reaction is. I was the first dealer to give them feedback, so they're waiting for more feedback from others.

Hmmm... gets my gears turning.

[MacSimoin]

Thanks for the updated info, Rocky.

Notice that while the county tartans are named the same, the Irish National is called IRELAND'S NATIONAL.

While what Bear observes is true, notice the difference in how Marton Mills refers to their tartans: "Irish Tartan Crest Collection", as opposed to House of Edgar's "Irish County Tartans". I hope this doesn't turn out to be 'Coke vs. Pepsi' in the world of the kilted.;)