To kilt or not to kilt: A St. Paddy's Day conundrum

[Woodsheal]

I'll be wearing my kilt in the Forde (Irish family) tartan on St. Patrick's Day. No, kilts are not Irish in terms of antiquity, origins, etc. But, in terms of modern association, there is enough of a tradition of Irish kilt wearing to justify it nowadays. Many folks now look upon the kilt as "Celtic" as opposed to "Scottish." Inaccurate, but prevalent... so wear it!

[Zardoz]

I am primarly Irish by blood, St.Patricks Day is MY holiday! I'll be wearing mine!



Ireland currently has a population of about 4 million folks.
For comparison, there are about 2.5 Million people in Houston TX.

There are 50 Million people in the U.S. that identify as being of Irish or Ulster-Scots heritage. Some estimate almost 6 million people have at least one grandparent of Irish heritage.

[slohairt]

Wear a saffron kilt. They're worn on both sides of the border, so I'm not really sure what connotations there would be? (Except perhaps contradictory ones?) True, the saffron kilt is not really the national dress of Ireland, but it's the closest we've got at the moment. A hundred years or more is enough for something to be considered a tradition, I should think. Unless, of course, you want to go out barefoot in a léine, ionar jacket, and brat, you can see why the saffron kilt is considered by some to be the de facto national garment for now.

If it helps any, I wore a kilt during Oktoberfest!

[SteveB]

Gentlepeople,
I fully intend to be kilted in Irish National tartan, Flashes, and necktie. Baseball hat reads "Irish National Stud" from Co. Kildare of (C)horse. I will frequent a few local pubs, and otherwise watch Amateur Drinking Day from a safe seat at the bar. But then, I wear a kilt every day, and most people see it as part of my identity. If the weather here in Boston ( sometimes known as Ireland's next parish West) permits, there will be about twenty of us kilties invading the local pubs together, with a kilted dinner to help hold the Guinness down.

[Riverkilt]

I'm with you Zardoz!!

Sure, I'm an American Mutt. Mostly Scottish but also English, Welsh, Dutch and Palatine German ancestry...AND four, count 'em FOUR documented Irish lines.

So my biggest decision for St. Paddy's day is not whether to wear a kilt, but WHICH Irish kilt to wear.



The Ireland's National semi-trad from USA Kilts...



Or, the Saffron semi-trad from USA Kilts...

And, my brother X Markers who enjoy a toast or two...do remember please that St. Paddy's day is the NUMBER ONE day of the year for DUI arrests. Round up a designated driver, cab or bus for your pub crawling fun. Only mention it because most folks don't know that little fact about our most wonderful holiday....

Okay, I'm leaning towards wearing the saffron this year....but there's time to change my mind yet...

Ron

[ccga3359]

Wear a saffron kilt. They're worn on both sides of the border, so I'm not really sure what connotations there would be? (Except perhaps contradictory ones?) True, the saffron kilt is not really the national dress of Ireland, but it's the closest we've got at the moment. A hundred years or more is enough for something to be considered a tradition, I should think. Unless, of course, you want to go out barefoot in a léine, ionar jacket, and brat, you can see why the saffron kilt is considered by some to be the de facto national garment for now.

If it helps any, I wore a kilt during Oktoberfest!

I recall a thread where one member wore a saffron kilt and a young Irishman was offended by it for to him it represented the Orangemen or Unionist. The only history shown of the saffron was a pro-rebublican group adopted the saffron kilt in the late 1800's or early 1900's. This is basically the only instance of an Irish kilt. This is what I remember from a thread months ago so I may well have incorrectly stated things, if I did I appologize.

Having said that often time when I worn a kilt people have come up to me and said "Aye, a true Irishman" as opposed to a Scotsman. I'll be in a kilt on St Pattricks day as it's also a kilt night. And as they say "Everyone's a little Irish on St. Paddy's Day". Wear a kilt, if you chose in one of the the Irish tartans or saffron. I'm neither Irish or Scottish and tend to tone down the outwardly Scottish look when I wear my kilt, you could do the same or not. Then again what is wrong with a Scotsman raising a glass to salute an Irishman on his holiday? This English born Canadian will and with wish them good health and long life.

[TheSp8]

Here in San Antonio, most of the people wearing kilts will be marching in the parade. Last year I saw two other men in kilts watching the parade. I wore my SWK Saffron and got several compliments from people in the parade.

I say wear whatever. The knuckleheads in plastic green hats and beads drinking green beer don't really count as an authority on things Irish.

I was walking into the Commissary last weekend and a guy in a truck yelled "Erin go braugh" and flashed a thumbs up as I walked past. I smiled, waved, and kept going. Of course, you mileage may vary.

YMOS,
Tony

[macwilkin]

I recall a thread where one member wore a saffron kilt and a young Irishman was offended by it for to him it represented the Orangemen or Unionist. The only history shown of the saffron was a pro-rebublican group adopted the saffron kilt in the late 1800's or early 1900's. This is basically the only instance of an Irish kilt. This is what I remember from a thread months ago so I may well have incorrectly stated things, if I did I appologize.

See my earlier post, Grant.

T.

[Mael Coluim]

Isn't the name Scotland derived from 'Scoti' the Latin word used by the Roman legion in Britian that meant Irish?

I'll be wearing my St. Patrick tartan on and before St. Patty's day. There is much intermingling of the blood of Scots and the Irish not to be kilted! My Scottish ancestry began in Donegal 10,000 years ago with a step back before coming to the States.

[McMurdo]

I am a poor Canadian who happens to wear his kilt everyday, therefore my vote is to wear it.