The saffron kilt originates in the 19th century in the Irish regiments of the British Army, who adopted the uniform of the pipers and drummers of the Highland regiments. Unlike the Scots, only musicians (and some officers) wore the saffron kilt as part of their uniform. The Royal Irish Regiment's pipers still wear them, as well as the Pipe Band of the Irish Republic's Air Corps.

Several of the Irish revolutionaries of 1916 also adopted the kilt (in saffron and green colours). Patrick Pearce, one of the leaders of the Easter Rebellion, even adopted the kilt as a uniform for his school for boys, St. Enda's, which was supposed to educate Irish boys on "traditional" Irish culture. From what I have read, the boys took quite a few beatings from local boys over their kilts. Eamonn Ceannt, another leader in the '16, reportedly played the uilleann pipes for the Pope dressed in a green kilt. Another Irishman, Pierce O'Mahony, wore a green kilt & is pictured in "ancient" Irish dress, complete with wolfhound. O'Mahony lived in Bulgaria and is quite the national hero there -- a tartan was recently introduced in his honour.

Cheers,

Todd