Saffron Kilt and Irish Regiment of Canada

[Jimmy]

While over in Dublin at the weekend, we visited the National Museum at Collins Barracks, what an interesting place, particularly for any student of military history.
In one section, I came across a display on the Irish Regiment of Canada, organised in Toronto in 1915, the formation of this regiment was assisted by the Irish Club of Toronto and the Irish Rifle Club.
The regiment were the only Irish regiment to wear the kilt, a saffron kilt, from 1931.
They were accompanied throughout World War 11 by their own Pipe band and received a multitude of awards in both World wars.
Their Quick March is Garry Owen, (is that not what the seventh cavalry under Custer had? ) and their Slow March is Endearing Young Charms.

A totally fascinating few hours in this museum, well woth the visit

[kiltedsawyer]

Interesting, thank you for sharing.
V/r
David

[macwilkin]

While over in Dublin at the weekend, we visited the National Museum at Collins Barracks, what an interesting place, particularly for any student of military history.
In one section, I came across a display on the Irish Regiment of Canada, organised in Toronto in 1915, the formation of this regiment was assisted by the Irish Club of Toronto and the Irish Rifle Club.
The regiment were the only Irish regiment to wear the kilt, a saffron kilt, from 1931.
They were accompanied throughout World War 11 by their own Pipe band and received a multitude of awards in both World wars.
Their Quick March is Garry Owen, (is that not what the seventh cavalry under Custer had? ) and their Slow March is Endearing Young Charms.

A totally fascinating few hours in this museum, well woth the visit

You are correct; the 7th US Cavalry Regiment's march is The Garry Owen. It is also the regimental march of the old 69th New York Infantry, which was part of the famous Irish Brigade during the American Civil War.

Regards,

Todd

[Sawney Bean]

Hi,
incidentally the Irish Guards pipers wear a saffron kilt as do the pipers of The Royal Irish Regiment and those of the London Irish Rifles - whose march is also Garryowen* (which is about an 18th century drinking club of well appointed chaps in Limerick). Slainte.

* It was a very popular song during the Victorian era and it probably got into the 7th Cav. via the various Irish members, particularly Miles Keogh an Irish born officer who, I think, served previously with the British Army.

[SFCRick]

Sounds like a great museum

[xena]

I met chaps in that unit. Top soldiers all around.

Also, the West Nova Scotia (ie. New Scotland!) Regiment has as it's regimental motto: "Semper Fidelis".

[macwilkin]

Hi,
incidentally the Irish Guards pipers wear a saffron kilt as do the pipers of The Royal Irish Regiment and those of the London Irish Rifles - whose march is also Garryowen* (which is about an 18th century drinking club of well appointed chaps in Limerick). Slainte.

* It was a very popular song during the Victorian era and it probably got into the 7th Cav. via the various Irish members, particularly Miles Keogh an Irish born officer who, I think, served previously with the British Army.

Myles Keogh served with the Papal Army in the 1860s. The myth of Keogh's service may stem from the Errol Flynn movie They Died With Their Boots On, where a fictional ex-British Officer, "Queens Own Butler", teaches Custer the song in an officer's mess at Ft. Abraham Lincoln. Butler mentions the 5th Royal Irish Lancers. Butler is believed to be a composite of Keogh and W.W. Cook, who was a Canadian.

T.

[Sawney Bean]

Oh aye, so he did. I bet he wished he'd stayed with the papal army when Crazy Horse and the rest of the Sioux nation turned up.

[macwilkin]

Oh aye, so he did. I bet he wished he'd stayed with the papal army when Crazy Horse and the rest of the Sioux nation turned up.

Slightly, OT, but related to Irish soldiers:

http://indigo.ie/~wildgees/keogh.htm

Incidently, there was at least one Scot with Custer that fateful June day:

http://www.friendslittlebighorn.com/...s_memorial.htm

Regards,

Todd

[GMan]

I love reading posts like this, very informative.