Interesting email from an Irish fellow about Irish kilts.

[The Thing]

This is absolutely true because the Irish Government-- in a rare moment of infinite wisdom-- twigged to the fact that the kilt isn't Irish. Just like they haven't "recognized" the ubiquitious baseball cap which is seen on street corners and on trams throughout the nation.Ah yes. The Gaelic League. And let's not forget about Lady Gregory and the Celtic Dawn, either. These folks were in a distinct minority at the end of the 19th, beginning of the 20th century, and were generally regarded as cranks and crackpots by most of the Irish. Their espousing the wearing of the kilt had nothing to do with Irish history, and everything to do with wanting to look "Irish". Lacking any sort of distinctive native Irish dress, they borrowed the kilt from the Scots-- they could have as easily dressed in knee britches and buckle shoes-- and created the myth of "ancient celtic dress" right there on the spot.

As far as the Irish government "rendering a decision" on whether or not the kilt is "Irish"-- the Irish people are intelligent enough to not need government directives on what to wear or how to dress. I realize that government directives of this sort may be useful in some parts of the world to prevent people from wearing their underwear backwards, or some such, but in Ireland such is not the case.

They know, without need of an act of the Oireachtas, that the kilt isn't Irish.

That's hardly a fair assesment, the Gaelic league had massive following in Ireland, it kick started the modern interest in the Irish language, music, dance, sport and the adoption of the modern kilt in replacement for the Leine and Brat, that were lost to time. If it wasn't for the Gaelic league there would be little to distinguish Modern day Ireland from Modern day England, so much of Ireland's historical traditions had been surpressed or forgotten.
The Irish Government never adopted any form of national dress for the nation of Ireland after independence. The kilt in Ireland has been worn for long enough to warrant it a special place in Irish culture, one which thankfully is starting to gain popularity again amongst the Irish people.