Notre Dame's Irish Guard Tartan

**Big Paul** · 13th November 05, 06:20 AM

Here is what I found... Link

Hope it helps!

**switchblade5984** · 13th November 05, 09:21 AM

pictures not workin

**GMan** · 13th November 05, 07:57 PM

That is a nice looking tartan! It sure would make one dandy of a kilt.

**Rick** · 13th November 05, 08:51 PM

The Notre Dame tartan was discussed in detail in a previous thread titled "University Tartans". As a graduate of Notre Dame, I wonder what the administration's position would be on making the tartan available to alumni for kilts. I am regularly on the campus at the library or at various arts performances and such and am routinely wearing one of my kilts. Notre Dame is one place I routinely wear the kilt where I have never received a negative or taunting comment.

Rick

**tomcherv** · 14th November 05, 06:10 AM

As another Domer, I too would love a kilt in the Notre Dame tartan.

They also have a bagpipe band now (didn't when I was there) that uses the same tartan in their kilts.

One of my friends was a member of the Irish Guard. Me, I was too short at 5'8.

**Hosehead** · 14th November 05, 10:42 AM

Another link here

With respect to the alumni on the board...

If they make it available, then you are going to have non-alum fanatics like myself trying to secure it on the black market....LOL...

Maybe it is not too late for me to apply and get my Masters there....:mrgreen:

**jfellrath** · 14th November 05, 01:35 PM

As another ND Alumnus, I fully hope that the Adminstration NEVER lets the rank and file buy this tartan. I think the fact that it's special for the Irish Guard adds quite a bit to the mystique of the organization. I'd hate to see this tartan get marketed to blue blazes like so much other stuff at the University. I'm glad the University pipe band gets to wear it, and I do believe that the University Marching Band members themselves have some uniform items with the tartan.

However, as my Uncle Jim likes to point out, the C.S.C. after the names of the clergy faculty on campus (which normally stands for Congregatio a Santa Cruce, or Congregation of the Holy Cross) can easily stand for "Come, Sweet Cash" - so I wouldn't be surprised to see it come out.

And for those who've never been to an ND game, there's nothing quite as spectacular as the Irish Guard high-stepping and leading the band onto the field to the sounds of "Hike Notre Dame." The guard also clears the crowd out of the way as they march the band from the Administration Building (AKA the Golden Dome) to the Stadium. A couple of the guys (who stand around 8 feet tall in their bearskin hats) will gently walk along the side of the route, basically intimidating the crowd out of the way, while the rest of them will lead the march. And after the game, if (or should I say "when") the Irish win, the Guard performs the Victory clog - something like the Highland Fling but not quite as long.

I had a roommate who was in the Guard, and it's not inaccurate to say that they are the only University-sanctioned fraternity and they are darned proud of the tradition they are upholding. I'd have loved to have been in the guard but I wasn't tall enough (only 6').