Dublin Irish Festival and Kilting in Public

[jrmiller]

I recently attended the 2008 Dublin Irish Festival in Dublin, OH.

It was truly an outstanding festival, there were many very large tents with all manner of Celtic musical entertainment within. We sat for the Tannahill Weavers (http://www.tannahillweavers.com/) an outstanding group visiting from Scotland.

There were many places where you could purchase beer and ale, the lines were incredibly long (it was very hot the evening we visited).

Also several shops selling all manner of food, jewelry, clothing (did see some kilts) and general Celtic gift items.

I did not have an Irish National kilt, so I was torn between wearing my Scottish National and my Utilikilt (plain tan). Given this was an Irish Festival, I chose the Utilikilt.

No one gave me a glance as I walked thru the crowds. I was hoping to see at least another kilt or two and was very pleasantly surprised to see many Utilikilts! There were also several Irish National kilts in evidence as well.

So, like me, many others who enjoy their kilts donned them for this event.

I will wear my kilt for a night on the town or just to the movies and my wife always reminds me that I am the only one in the entire world that must like these things! No one else ever wears them she says! It was very gratifying to see so many other UK's at the festival.

Guys, get out there and wear your kilts. If enough of us do it, they will eventually be fully accepted with no more gripes or sneers from the crowd!

I also wanted to note that I met Captain Karrot (Keith), another member of this board and yes, his hair is red!

[Captain Karrot]

Yup! John met me, but unfortunately only briefly...I was tied up bragging about the joys of kilt-wearing (and had just recently finished the whiskey tasting, so was a bit exuberant!).

I will back up what John said...there were a lot of kilties there. I was there all 3 days of the festival. Last year I saw quite a few Utilikilts, and maybe 1 or 2 tartan kilts. This year, over the course of the 3 days, I would say I saw upwards of 50 Utilikilts (a couple might have been double-counted), including women in regular UK's or even mini-UK's. (Let me add that UK had a booth there and it was always well attended). In fact, one of the ladies came up to me and said "I'm regimental - what about you?"

Anyway, the one thing that was very happily surprising to me was the number of tartan kilts...somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 or more). And this does not count all the pipers that were there. I did talk to several (more than 10) about this group...we may get some new visitors soon.

And to reiterate John again - no one batted an eye in a negative manner...I did get quite a few compliments

So, in closing - a great festival...a lot of fellow brothers.

Cheers!

[JRB]

I recently attended the great American Irish Festival near Herkimer, NY and was pleasantly surprised to see quite a few kilt wearers among the crowd. The kilt is definitely becoming more and more a symbol of all Celtic nations, not just Scotland. Personally, I find that a very good thing. That just shows me that the kilt is a dynamic (not a dead) garment.

[Captain Karrot]

I would have to agree with you. Granted, I have only been kilted a few years now (all that wasted TIME!). When I first started wearing kilts, I only saw kilts at festivals, etc. Now, chances are that if I walk into a pub or bar anywhere from Cleveland to LA to Greensboro, NC I will see someone kilted. Not every time, but definitely more than it used to be. Also, this gives me a reason to go into pubs and bars more..."Honey - I'm going to check for more kilties...be back in a couple of hours. No don't wait up!"