Quote Originally Posted by BoldHighlander View Post
I fear we may never know for certain. Well, as I said earlier, the historians will no doubt continue to debate them.

I'm all for healthy debate, I just think it let's history down when people say things as fact, (in this case regarding Derricke) when the evidence is scarce, or even pointing the other way.

When it comes to kilts, personally, as a Scotsman, I don't really think of myself wearing much further back than what the Victorians wore, if we are talking about the pleated, presssed and stitched garment. I don't really look back into the hoary mists of time often, but when I do I find an awfy' lot o' breeks.

I know from other forums that the topic of the history of Irish kilts is a hot one, especially in the US. Factually, we know that the kilt was promoted for use by members of the Gaelic League from 1900 onwards. That should be enough justification for anyone of Irish blood who wants to wear one to go and happily put one on, I would have thought. You can find Patrick Pearse/Pádraig Pearse's thoughts on the matter online easy enough.