Two new Irish tartans

**MacSimoin** · 25th August 07, 10:57 AM

As many of you know, after literally years of longing I designed the Fitzsimmons tartan in late 2005 (with help from fellow Xmarks members M. A. C. Newsome and Macsim), and it was successfully recorded as a Clan/Family tartan by the Scottish Tartans Authority. Although it is intended for use by those of the surname (and variations thereof), it is not restricted and can be worn by anyone.

Like Macsim and myself, other Xmarks members such as pdcorlis and MikeFitz enjoy wearing our Fitzsimmons tartan kilts but now (drumroll, please) there is a hunting version of this tartan. The colors in the tartan include dark green, black, olive green and light brown. Below is a software-generated image of the Fitzsimmons Hunting tartan:

In addition to the tartan above I have also designed an Irish District tartan called the Bréifne tartan. Bréifne (Breffni, Breffny, Brenny, et al) was an ancient Irish kingdom comprised of Counties Leitrim and Cavan, as well as portions of northern Longford, southern Sligo, western Meath and western Fermanagh. Bréifne was ruled chiefly by the O'Rourke family but after a split of the kingdom (16th cent.) the O'Reilly family took control of the eastern part of the kingdom (Cavan) while the O'Rourkes held on to the western part (Leitrim). Below is a brief excerpt from the notes accompanying the tartan registration:

...the main colors of the Bréifne tartan (dark green, aqua) were chosen with respect to the lush green hills and thick woods of the area, as well as the multitude of lakes, rivers and bogs that are found in this scenic part of Ireland. The colors gray and black were selected in remembrance of the gray wolf (canis lupus), once hunted to extinction in Ireland but now experiencing a resurgence due to wildlife conservation efforts. Preservation of the gray wolf (and other wildlife) has long been supported through 'animal adoption' and other means by the tartan designer.

The Bréifne tartan:

Both recordings were submitted for registration today and as soon as I have both tartans woven (which can take months) I will certainly be calling upon Matt Newsome to do that thing he does.

I will also post back here once the registrations are complete. Once that happens, both tartans will be available for weaving by any woolen mill with access to the Scottish Tartans Authority's International Tartan Index (database). FYI, both of these tartans are unrestricted and available for anyone to wear.

Thank you.

**McMurdo** · 25th August 07, 11:01 AM

Very cool, I hope you get some of that soon.

**pdcorlis** · 25th August 07, 11:12 AM

Looks like you've done it again - two very nice tartans indeed! I can't wait to see them in wool - I'll bet they will be stunning!

Congratulations!

**ChromeScholar** · 25th August 07, 11:19 AM

Very cool!

**Kilted_John** · 25th August 07, 11:59 AM

Schweet...

-J

**slohairt** · 25th August 07, 12:04 PM

Dia Dhuit, A Mhac Síomóin,

I like them both. Especially the last one. Very sombre and understated.

**Tattoo Bradley** · 25th August 07, 01:03 PM

Aren't "Hunting" tartans generally a version of a brighter (like red) based tartan? To, sort of "subdue" it? I remember your Fitzsimmons tartan being pretty subdued from the get-go. None-the-less, they are both very nice. I love the explanantion of the Bréifne tartan.

**MacSimoin** · 25th August 07, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Tattoobradley

Aren't "Hunting" tartans generally a version of a brighter (like red) based tartan? To, sort of "subdue" it? I remember your Fitzsimmons tartan being pretty subdued from the get-go. None-the-less, they are both very nice. I love the explanantion of the Bréifne tartan.

I can't answer why a 'hunting' tartan's colors are chosen (whether to subdue or not), but personally, I feel those in existence were created for various reasons (preference, fashion, etc), just like this one. I think the Fitzsimmons Hunting tartan will be 'subdued' well enough.

Below is a photo of the Fitzsimmons tartan (as woven by the House of Edgar).

As you can see, I've noted the five colors used in the Fitzsimmons tartan (the hunting version will not have the dark brown) for reference (maybe I should have done this in my first post). FYI, the material shown above is in reality a bit darker than what you see here.
Thanks for the kind words, everyone.