Irish Saffron Kilt

[Tairdhealbhach]

In this painting is Colonel Niall O Neill, a Jacobite veteran of the Battle of the Boyne, wearing a traditional brat with the year given as 1680.

[figheadair]

This is another one of Michael Wright's portraits - see that of Lord Mungo Murray in other threads, and cannot be taken as in any way an accurate depiction of contemporary dress. He was renowned for pre-painting heroic type portraits and adding the face of the sitter at a later date. They were a sort of political/cultural statement rather than an attempt to record history.

[Tairdhealbhach]

This is another one of Michael Wright's portraits - see that of Lord Mungo Murray in other threads, and cannot be taken as in any way an accurate depiction of contemporary dress. He was renowned for pre-painting heroic type portraits and adding the face of the sitter at a later date. They were a sort of political/cultural statement rather than an attempt to record history.

This painting is not at that inconsistent at all with this woodcut from 100 years earlier in 1580, compare the following:

[figheadair]

Ditto

[Tairdhealbhach]

Ditto

Ditto meaning you agree, or Ditto meaning that you think that both pieces are inaccurate in regards to Irish dress?

[Dale Seago]

In this painting is Colonel Niall O Neill, a Jacobite veteran of the Battle of the Boyne, wearing a traditional brat with the year given as 1680.

Interesting to also see the Japanese presentation armor set. And the Irish colonel is also wearing what looks more like a Scottish dirk than the rather similar Irish scian (or skean):

http://www.myarmoury.com/nateb_dagg_ia_skean.html?3

[BoldHighlander]

In this painting is Colonel Niall O Neill, a Jacobite veteran of the Battle of the Boyne, wearing a traditional brat with the year given as 1680.

This is another one of Michael Wright's portraits - see that of Lord Mungo Murray in other threads, and cannot be taken as in any way an accurate depiction of contemporary dress. He was renowned for pre-painting heroic type portraits and adding the face of the sitter at a later date. They were a sort of political/cultural statement rather than an attempt to record history.

Interesting to also see the Japanese presentation armor set.

This painting would most certainly be a romanticized portrait, as the subject is wearing a costume reminiscent of that worn by Thomas Lee (1594) in his portrait painted by Marcus Gheeraerts, not to mention the Japanese armor (nice catch!).

It certainty is not the fashion worn in 1680 or at the Battle of the Boyne!

[Tairdhealbhach]

This painting would most certainly be a romanticized portrait, as the subject is wearing a costume reminiscent of that worn by Thomas Lee (1594) in his portrait painted by Marcus Gheeraerts, not to mention the Japanese armor (nice catch!).

It certainty is not the fashion worn in 1680 or at the Battle of the Boyne!

Yes a romanticized version but a version nonetheless. It is interesting to note that the Irish aristocracy abandoned the léine before the other classes did, in favor of a more mainland European type of tunic. What they did hold onto was the brat, and I believe that the brat was held onto for several centuries in Ireland after the Elizabethan era.

[BoldHighlander]

Yes a romanticized version but a version nonetheless.

The problem is that if its from 1680 then its at least 100 years after this fashion would've been in style.

I would prefer a contemporary /eyewitness example. I've got a couple of books with period woodcuts from the 1500's with what are reputed to be a few "eyewitness" renditions of Irish / Scottish dress. Perhaps I'll scan them later & post them here.

What they did hold onto was the brat, and I believe that the brat was held onto for several centuries in Ireland after the Elizabethan era.

Not that I'm doubting you, but do you have any evidence to back up your belief? And how many is "several"?

[BoldHighlander]

The OP's image of Colonel Niall O Neill, a Jacobite veteran of the Battle of the Boyne reminded me of this portrait of Captain Thomas Lee. However, unlike the OP's post dated 1680, Lee's portrait was done in 1594, when he was 43 years-old, by the Flemish artist Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger. It was probably commissioned by his cousin, Henry Lee of Ditchley. The subject is shown in the regalia of a captain of the Queen's Kern (a hybrid combination of English & Irish dress), posing with legs and feet bare, and armed with shield, spear and pistol. Lee served in Ireland continuosly from 1575 to 1599.