Irish Tartans?

[davecolorado72]

Anyone know if there are provincial (or county) specific tartans in Ireland? I haven't been able to find anything so far. I have an ancestral link to Co. Cork and am curious about any possible tartans from that area.

Thanks for your help...

Slainte!

[McGurk]

Have a wee peek at http://www.thescottishweaver.com/irishtartans.html

The Cork one looks rather nice.

[davecolorado72]

Thanks for finding that McGurk! I agree, will have to see if I can get my hands on it.

[macwilkin]

Dave,

Be sure to post all tartan-related queries in the heraldry & tartans section.

As McGurk mentioned, there are tartans for all 32 counties in the Republic & NI. These tartans are considered to be "fashion" tartans, since to my knowledge, none have ever been officially recognised by any governing body in Eire, although one could argue they have become de facto because of their popularity:

http://www.houseofedgar.com/acatalog/Irish.html

There is another line of county tartans, the "county crest" tartans, but personally, I prefer the "earthy", muted colours of the House of Edgar's line above.

In addition, our own Matt Newsome has two blog articles on Irish tartans worth perusing:

http://kiltmaker.blogspot.com/search...rish%20tartans

Slainte,

Todd

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Here is a listing of the Irish County tartans, as well as Irish Provincial tartans (plus a a couple of general Irish tartans such as All Ireland, Irish National, and St. Patrick)
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/Irish.htm

[Moosedog]

I have some County Cavan tartan, and it is gorgeous. Those muted colors are wonderful; I imagine the Cork is stunning as well. Have fun looking!

Moosedog

[RakesOfMallow]

I have County Kilkenny (first kilt) and really love it. My piping instructor has Cork and it is equally just as stunning. I'm also a fan of County Fermanaugh with its khaki and green colors on a muted blue background.

[macwilkin]

County Mayo is my favourite, with Cork a close second.

T.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

As McGurk mentioned, there are tartans for all 32 counties in the Republic & NI. These tartans are considered to be "fashion" tartans, since to my knowledge, none have ever been officially recognised by any governing body in Eire,

There is no "governing body" for the registering of tartans in Ireland. The Office of Arms has taken the position that registering tartans is beyond the scope of its function.

I am uncertain as to what, if any, statutory status the various "tartan authorities" enjoy. My perception is that these are based on private initiative, rather than being founded by any act of government. If that is the case then their pronouncements aren't worth two hoots as they are merely "opinions" (albeit given by some very knowledgeable people) without any legal authority to back them up. If this is so, then I for one wouldn't worry overly whether my "Irish tartan" was "official" or not.

If you like it, wear it.

[macwilkin]

There is no "governing body" for the registering of tartans in Ireland. The Office of Arms has taken the position that registering tartans is beyond the scope of its function.

I am uncertain as to what, if any, statutory status the various "tartan authorities" enjoy. My perception is that these are based on private initiative, rather than being founded by any act of government. If that is the case then their pronouncements aren't worth two hoots as they are merely "opinions" (albeit given by some very knowledgeable people) without any legal authority to back them up. If this is so, then I for one wouldn't worry overly whether my "Irish tartan" was "official" or not.

If you like it, wear it.

Scott,

Perhaps I wasn't clear enough: when I said "governing body" I meant a county council/local government. That wasn't a slam on the tartan; however, most tartan scholars agree that for a tartan to be "officially" recognised, it must be from sort of government body. Here in North America that generally means a state legislature or a provincial assembly.

To my knowledge, none of the county tartans have been recognised as the official tartan of County Mayo, Kerry, etc. by their respective local governments. And to be honest, I tend to agree with you; if you like it, wear it.

Please don't read too much into it that I was trying to degrade these tartans.

T.