Irish Tartans at Marton Mills

[bear]

None of their Irish county tartans are the same as the ones House of Edgar produces. I don't know, but I suspect the reason has to do with restrictions on the tartans.

You see, when Edgar came out with their sucessful line of Irish County tartans back in 1996, they were the first people who ever designed tartans for all of the Irish counties. It has been hugely successful for them. But they are proprietary tartans, and House of Edgar has the design registration on them -- only they are allowed to produce them.

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.

Aye,
Matt

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

[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.;)

[Colin]

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

I like the fact that MM Ireland's National tartan incorporates the colours of the Irish flag. The Irish National is a great tartan, but this new one is more something I would wear to honor my Irish heritage (as little of it as there is).

Ireland's National


Irish National

[SumoKilt]

Heya

Just received the swatch book for this series from Marton Mills. I admit that I am new to the Irish stuff but I gotta admit that it looks good...as much as Irish tartan can. LOL!

Seriously, I like them and Marton Mills are good folks to work with.


Josh
aka Sumo Kilt

[Hosehead]

I am interested in Irish County, Province and County Crest tartans in PV and or wool. With one side of the family from Laois and the other from Sligo, that gives me two County tartans, two County Crest Tartans and 2 Province tartans to add to the collection...

1 down, five to go...

[richardljohnson]

I received and e-mail back from MM. I have started to get the kilt making bug again and was anxious to locate a source for material and they were suggested. Has anyone here ordered fabric from them in the 10 yard range? And, if so, what kind of service?

Thanks,
Richard-

[RockyR]

We just got the Swatch book in for the Irish tartan range. I can honestly say that they are even more impressive in person than they are on the web.

Kelly picked out 8 or 9 that she wants and I can finally get my county tartan (sligo)! I could have gotten it from Edgar, but have you seen their Sligo?