Irish Kilts and Tartans

[Jock Scot]

GREAT article gentleman! I did notice ONE thing I MIGHT change..."One of the most famous and well-preserved examples is the Dungiven outfit, found near Londonderry in 1956."

Do you mean Derry, perchance?

Please just a friendly nudge here--no malice implied. Really appreciate your hard work on this.

Oh please, lets not get into splitting hairs over a name! A friendly nudge it may be, but-----------.

[GDub]

"Derry" or "Londonderry" is a hair-splitter if ever there was one! Perhaps another history lesson is in order.

Regarding the rest of the article... I'm not a Scot or of Scottish descent, but I do appreciate the effort put into the article. Matt is, after all, in a business that is bound to promoting the kilt in it's historical context. That said, I'm not getting my Irish pleats in a bunch about it. Being of Irish descent, I could care less if Irish tartans are historically "correct" or not. I wear the kilt because I like wearing the kilt. It's NOT a heritage thing for me. I consider myself a modern man who likes to kilt up. As for my tartan choices, after a few initial (impulse/newbie) purchases, and with a little more knowledge under my belt because of the good info on this forum, I've chosen to stick with tartans not associated with Scottish clans out of deference to the heritage. But that's where it ends for me. When I wear my Irish (or Ireland's) National tartan on St Patrick's Day, I do it because of the colors.

Kilt on!

Sláinte.

[macwilkin]

"Derry" or "Londonderry" is a hair-splitter if ever there was one! Perhaps another history lesson is in order.

Regarding the rest of the article... I'm not a Scot or of Scottish descent, but I do appreciate the effort put into the article. Matt is, after all, in a business that is bound to promoting the kilt in it's historical context. That said, I'm not getting my Irish pleats in a bunch about it. Being of Irish descent, I could care less if Irish tartans are historically "correct" or not. I wear the kilt because I like wearing the kilt. It's NOT a heritage thing for me. I consider myself a modern man who likes to kilt up. As for my tartan choices, after a few initial (impulse/newbie) purchases, and with a little more knowledge under my belt because of the good info on this forum, I've chosen to stick with tartans not associated with Scottish clans out of deference to the heritage. But that's where it ends for me. When I wear my Irish (or Ireland's) National tartan on St Patrick's Day, I do it because of the colors.

Kilt on!

Sláinte.

It never was our intention to get anyone's pleats in a bunch by writing the article. If anything, I think the real history behind Irish kilts & tartans is far more fascinating then the many legends and myths that reside on the Internet, so hence Matt & I's desire to tell the story from a historical point-of-view.

T.

[The Barry]

Thank you for the excellent information.

[Farlander]

Thanks Matt and Todd for a wonderful article that is both informative and scholarly!

From the article:

"It is worth noting that the Ulster region in Ireland was at this time being settled heavily by Scottish emigrants..."

Moreover, the history books tell us that some significant portion of these settlers were from the Highlands including 5 highland nobles, namely -- the Duke of Lennox, his brother Lord D'Aubigny, the Earl of Abercorn, the Lord of Burley and Lord Ochiltree.

So, my question is, along with the large Highland immigration to Northern Ireland, is there any evidence of the Highland dress (namely the kilt) being brought with them? It would seem that the answer is NO, which seems a bit peculiar to me. Could it be that although the kilt existed at this time, it was not actually all that popular, or was it more of a desire to blend in and adopt the dress of the locals?

[Jock Scot]

Thanks Matt and Todd for a wonderful article that is both informative and scholarly!

From the article:

Moreover, the history books tell us that some significant portion of these settlers were from the Highlands including 5 highland nobles, namely -- the Duke of Lennox, his brother Lord D'Aubigny, the Earl of Abercorn, the Lord of Burley and Lord Ochiltree.

So, my question is, along with the large Highland immigration to Northern Ireland, is there any evidence of the Highland dress (namely the kilt) being brought with them? It would seem that the answer is NO, which seems a bit peculiar to me. Could it be that although the kilt existed at this time, it was not actually all that popular, or was it more of a desire to blend in and adopt the dress of the locals?

From a non historians angle, mine, it is well known that the kilt is Highland attire and it is only very recently that the lowland Scots have taken to the kilt. It gives us Highlanders a certain amount of amusement to hear lowland Scots pontificating about the kilt, when for centuries they poured nothing but scorn on it.

Which brings me to another point, these incomers from Scotland that came to Ireland all those centuries ago, were they from the lowlands?I am not at all sure that the five Nobles mentioned above could be described as genuine highlanders. If so, the question is answered, they would not have had(unlikely anyway) the kilt for the native Irish to copy.

[JSFMACLJR]

One of my Mackintosh relations ( Duncan Mackintosh of Kyllachy ) left Inverness to Ireland with a Highland regiment in the Irish Rebellion of 1798. He settled in County Wicklow, marrying Lady Alicia Weldon, a scion of the Earl of Dysart. While serving in the army, I am sure Duncan wore the kilt. I would have my doubts if he continued to wear it after he married and became a landowner in Ireland.

[davidlpope]

Which brings me to another point, these incomers from Scotland that came to Ireland all those centuries ago, were they from the lowlands?I am not at all sure that the five Nobles mentioned above could be described as genuine highlanders. If so, the question is answered, they would not have had(unlikely anyway) the kilt for the native Irish to copy.

My understanding is that the Irish Plantations were settled with Protestant English and Lowland Scots. As Jock points out, these Lowlanders looked down upon the Scots Highlanders, their language, and their manner of dress.

I'm convinced that there is no genuine historic basis for "Irish Kilts" prior to the Nationalist movements that Todd has discussed. Anything else seems to be grasping at straws...

Cordially,

David

[Radge]

From a non historians angle, mine, it is well known that the kilt is Highland attire and it is only very recently that the lowland Scots have taken to the kilt. It gives us Highlanders a certain amount of amusement to hear lowland Scots pontificating about the kilt, when for centuries they poured nothing but scorn on it.

Which brings me to another point, these incomers from Scotland that came to Ireland all those centuries ago, were they from the lowlands?I am not at all sure that the five Nobles mentioned above could be described as genuine highlanders. If so, the question is answered, they would not have had(unlikely anyway) the kilt for the native Irish to copy.

Most of the Plantation settlers from Scotland were Lowlanders (from the South West mainly) and Borderers. There were however Highlanders that formed part of the plantation also. During the violence in the 1640's there was a clash between 'British' settlers and the 'Native' forces where Highlanders in the 'British' contingent were spared by Highlanders in the 'Native', or more rightly Catholic, forces due to the fact they were Highlanders. Unfortunately it doesn't explain if it was because they were wearing the plaid, or because they spoke Gaelic or because the Catholic Scots knew their compatriots by sight.

Highland/Island contingents that formed part of the Irish Brigade under the Duke of Montrose in Scotland, and those that fought with the Irish Confederates in South West Ireland, did indeed wear Highland apparel by all accounts, or a mixture of 'conventional' and Highland clothing depending on location and the wear and tear on their kit due to campaigning. The Irish troops wore for the most part plain, undyed, trews and carried a Brat, or mantle, and wore a woolen hat similar to a 'beanie' today.


NB The Lowlanders of yesteryear, who would have run for their musket at the sight of a plaid and a pair of bare-legs, are somewhat different from those of us today who have a considerable amount of Highland heritage and, like anyone else, have everyright to pontificate about the Kilt, afterall this is what this website is about. I have been on the end of some 'Professional Highlander' remarks before, not helped by the fact that I have a London accent. I, like many others on this site, see the Kilt as a unifying garb and not one that is the sole preserve of a few precious teuchters. Nae offence likes.

[PiobBear]

As for the probity of wearing a kilt on St. Patrick's Day, I think that as it was the Irish that taught the art of distilling to the Scots, men of Scottish ancestry around the world should wear their kilts on the 17th out of sheer gratitude.