Kilts in Irish tartans, anyone?

**Paul Henry** · 17th January 10, 11:40 AM

The only way you are going to be able to resolve this to your satisfaction if you actually order some samples directly.
The pictcure Rocky posted may well be a computer image, but I'd be surprised if the actual material wasn't a twill.

**Hamish** · 17th January 10, 06:11 PM

Here are three of my Irish tartans, Paul:

Ireland's National by Marton Mills from Rocky at USA Kilts -

County Cavan by House of Edgar from Geoffrey (Tailor), Edinburgh -

and Tara or Murphy again by Marton Mills from Rocky at USA Kilts -

Hope these help.

Take care,
Ham.

**Woodsman** · 17th January 10, 10:55 PM

Hamish,
I have the Tara in USA Kilts casual. I just finished putting holes in my brown Irish belt. Now I have to complete the brown accouterments (sporran and strap). Thanks for your photo which shows the green hose and brown shirt looking so appropriate with this tartan.

**Peter C.** · 19th January 10, 02:10 PM

a href="http://s706.photobucket.com/albums/ww62/PeterClements/?action=view&current

Hope I'm not too late, I'm having trouble transfering photo's with my new computer.

This is the County Sligo tartan.

Peter

**Peter C.** · 19th January 10, 02:11 PM

I seem to have failed again.

Peter

**HeathBar** · 19th January 10, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by Peter C.

I seem to have failed again.

Peter

was this the one Peter?

**Zardoz** · 19th January 10, 02:28 PM

I just want to note here that if you are ordering a Irish county tartan, be aware that there are 2 mills, House of Edgar (HoE) and Marton Mills (MM), offering different tartans for the counties, as well as 2 "national" tartans and other various setts. They are quite different, most of the HoE tartans tend to be more 'earthy' in their colors, while the MM tartans are based on the "County Crests" of the various counties, and are more vibrant.
So don't just tell a kiltmaker "County Waterford"and forget it! Aviod suprises and be sure to specify the mill, or better yet the STA number, of the tartan you want.

**seanachie** · 19th January 10, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by Zardoz

I just want to note here that if you are ordering a Irish county tartan, be aware that there are 2 mills, House of Edgar (HoE) and Marton Mills (MM), offering different tartans for the counties, as well as 2 "national" tartans and other various setts. They are quite different, most of the HoE tartans tend to be more 'earthy' in their colors, while the MM tartans are based on the "County Crests" of the various counties, and are more vibrant.
So don't just tell a kiltmaker "County Waterford"and forget it! Aviod suprises and be sure to specify the mill, or better yet the STA number, of the tartan you want.

I think this is very good advice. I do not yet own a heavier weight kilt and am saving my nickels for the investment but at the same time doing a lot of reading and homework on the tartans, mills, kilt makers etc. Your comments are very much on the mark. Ron (Riverkilt) posted a pic somewhere (and I DO know it is not Irish but the principle applies) of 2 different IOS tartans and I was very surprised at the difference. Don't get me wrong, both very nice looking kilts just not the same.

**fluter** · 19th January 10, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by seanachie

Ron (Riverkilt) posted a pic somewhere (and I DO know it is not Irish but the principle applies) of 2 different IOS tartans and I was very surprised at the difference. Don't get me wrong, both very nice looking kilts just not the same.

The smaller sett in that case was Marton Mills's 12 ounce poly-viscose, and Ron's was 16-ounce wool (Lochcarron Strome, if I recall correctly). Your point is excellent: you don't want surprises when you unwrap your new kilt.