Quote Originally Posted by triolamj View Post
Actually, the Irish did have a lot to do with the development of the kilt: Irish weavers manufactured the tartan fabric in various patterns and colors meant to please the Scottish eye. Nowadays we have trade tartans for all kinds of groups, but in olden days the Irish might not have worn tartan but they certainly sold it. Google the Clodagh tartan for more details.

Every 3 or 4 years I put on my presentation for the local Irish Association called "The Irish VS. The Kilt" and I have a lot of fun with it. Kilts aren't truly native to Ireland but they can be "a Scottish expression of Irish identity".
You might want to check the history of the Clodagh tartan; Matt Newsome has a very interesting article regarding it and other Irish tartans on his blog. Basically, its ancient Irish pedigree of supposedly being found in the Bog of Allen (similar to the Ulster tartan's history) had little evidence to support it.

Regards,

Todd