Interesting email from an Irish fellow about Irish kilts.

[Nick the DSM]

Could we say that the Irish are using the Scottish kilt to represent themselves??

[O'Callaghan]

Card Carrying member of the Plastic Paddy club. Now that we have that taken care of...who wants to kilt up and hit an Irish pib ?

Sounds good to me. Slainte!

PS: Shall we let the Scots come too?

[Deil the Yin]

Could we say that the Irish are using the Scottish kilt to represent themselves??

If you consider that the original "Scots" came from Ulster (a mere twelve miles across the Irish Sea to Kintyre), it's not such a stretch is it?

footnote: see Kingdom of Dalriada, also Argyll, ie Coast of the Gaels (disclaimer for spelling, sorry).

[The Thing]

I don't dispute what you say here, but not all countries have a National Dress. Ireland has many symbols that are importaint, I find it hard to see pride in adopting the symbols of others rather than showing off your own. And the unified culture you mention... I don't think that ever exsisted, not according to all I have read.

Frank

In that case it's time to axe the Kilted Regiments of Canada, Australia, United States, South Africa and New Zealand, after all by your logic, the kilt is purely and entirely the preserve of the Scot's.....?

[O'Callaghan]

And the unified culture you mention... I don't think that ever exsisted, not according to all I have read.

Frank

Depends how far back you go. The celtic culture came from mainland Europe. At that point it was more unified than it is now. If you are trying to say that the insular celts were not unified, you would be right in that there were and are both Brythonic and Goidelic celts in the British isles, but that doesn't help your argument much, because the Irish and the Scots were both Goidelic.

[Bruno]

Now I am somewhat of a mongrel Gael so here's my view on the kilt.

Having 1 grandfather who was a scot and fought in a kilted English regiment despite hardly speaking English. The other was an Irish navi who never actually learned to speak English. I have an Irish uncle Mick and another called Paddy and my father was Irish. I was raised in Liverpool and as some of you know that is probably regarded as the main Irish colony in England.

So I have a fair old knowledge of both sets of folk. Now the real Irish would in fact scratch their head bemused at the idea of wearing a kilt and a few might wear one for fun or wedding.

As for most Scots they would have a very similar reaction to wearing one but tend to get all bravheart and proud at the sight of one. They also get quite territorial about their clan tartans. So the few traditionalists here tend to get very disturbed when they see folk wearing 10 different kilts with no family connection.

However most Irish will not have a problem with a kilt seeing as its a big F U to the English which always goes down well.

[Jock Scot]

Now I am somewhat of a mongrel Gael so here's my view on the kilt.

Having 1 grandfather who was a scot and fought in a kilted English regiment despite hardly speaking English. The other was an Irish navi who never actually learned to speak English. I have an Irish uncle Mick and another called Paddy and my father was Irish. I was raised in Liverpool and as some of you know that is probably regarded as the main Irish colony in England.

So I have a fair old knowledge of both sets of folk. Now the real Irish would in fact scratch their head bemused at the idea of wearing a kilt and a few might wear one for fun or wedding.

As for most Scots they would have a very similar reaction to wearing one but tend to get all bravheart and proud at the sight of one. They also get quite territorial about their clan tartans. So the few traditionalists here tend to get very disturbed when they see folk wearing 10 different kilts with no family connection.

However most Irish will not have a problem with a kilt seeing as its a big F U to the English which always goes down well.

Bruno, you are a star!You are a newcomer and probably don't realise the significance of what you have written about how the Scots, ok traditional Scots, view tartan. Thank you so much. I must buy you a wee dram or six!

[Bruno]

Bruno, you are a star!You are a newcomer and probably don't realise the significance of what you have written about how the Scots, ok traditional Scots, view tartan. Thank you so much. I must buy you a wee dram or six!

The big question being Irish or Scottish dram LOL as it happens I will have either when the wife's not counting. Although its harder to get the Irish stuff here.....although plenty of Scottish brands

[Nick the DSM]

If you consider that the original "Scots" came from Ulster (a mere twelve miles across the Irish Sea to Kintyre), it's not such a stretch is it?

footnote: see Kingdom of Dalriada, also Argyll, ie Coast of the Gaels (disclaimer for spelling, sorry).

that's not what I meant.

What I mean is for example is these Irish Tartans and solid colored kilts, IMO, is like their own representation of themselves with a Scottish way of doing it.

Does anyone understand? I just can't get around to explaining any clearer.

[Jon1975]

However most Irish will not have a problem with a kilt seeing as its a big F U to the English which always goes down well.

HaHa, Slainte!