The new guy in town.

[James Byous]

Hi, Jim – this has been debated at length on various heraldry forums, and it is generally agreed among American heraldists that a grant or matriculation of arms, whether from the Lord Lyon or the College of Arms, is not a title of nobility.
But, as you say, you are perfectly entitled not to obtain such a document.
At the same time, it is probably worth your while to register the arms with one or more of the armorial registers in the US, simply to ensure that nobody else starts showing your arms as belonging to them.
Regards,
Mike

Thanks Mike.

I will look in to it. As far as usage here in the States it is covered, but I can see that it might be mis-used other places.

-- Jim

[O'Callaghan]

A big welcome from Maryland!

Actually, I'm originally from England, but (of course) of Irish descent. The Irish side of my family were catholics from County Cork, all the way in the South of Ireland. The first Callaghan was king of Munster in the 10th century, and Callaghan is one of the few Irish clans (or, strictly speaking, the chiefs thereof) that were recognised by the Irish government.

But enough about me. I have a question about your caubeens. I was interested in getting one of your adjustable ones, but it looks like those are now only available in black and not green.

I think my head is a UK size 7 1/4, but I also thought I was a continental size 57, which I think may only be a UK size 7. I have had hats in both sizes that fit, and have never owned anything in US sizes. I got an ex-British Army green caubeen in a 57 from a well-known eBay vendor, but it is way too small. This may be because "squaddies" tend to shrink their hats to fit, or it may be because I am out on the sizes. As you say that your adjustable caubeens go up to a US size 8, I thought I couldn't go wrong if I got one!

Now some may think this silly, or it may be the precise reason why they want a black one, but to me nothing says IRA like a black caubeen. Throughout the troubles it was the only recognisable piece of uniform that they wore, even if some of them were arguably mere berets. Now, I'm far from being a loyalist where Ireland is concerned, and I'm more than happy that the part of Ireland my forefathers came from is an independent country now and free from British rule, but I'd rather wear a green caubeen than don what I see as IRA uniform. The IRA not only bombed civilians during the troubles, but they also fought against the Irish Army in the civil war. Call me a Free Stater if you like, but there it is.

I know that some will object to the above as political, but it is the only way I can explain why it is important to me to wear a green hat and not a black one! Otherwise it sounds trivial.

So, any chance of bringing back adjustable caubeens in green?

[7 miles]

Hey, Big John. I had someone ask about your group and if it is still getting together. Are you?

We usually announce if we are going to meet on a sub forum on here called kilt nights. Hopefully we will be meeting again really soon.

[Kiltman]

Fantastic! Welcome from Eastern Washington State.

[socalferg]

Greetings and Welcome from SoCal