The Kilt's use in Irish Nationalism

[CMcG]

I think this discussion has gone way off topic, so sorry if that was may fault at all.
I was originally curious about the use of the kilt by some early 20th century nationalist leaders in Ireland. Being a nationalist myself, I found it strange that I had only just discovered this, even thought studied Irish history at school.
I don't think Pearse and any followers felt that their was any historical or cultural link to the kilt, and Pearse said as much himself. They were not trying to find a link in history as justification.

Veering off course again were we? OK, let's try and loop back again.

The late 19th century Gaelic revival sought to sustain, enhance, and/or reconstruct culture that had suffered the brunt of Anglicization. This was especially geared towards language and sport, but also music, literature, and mythology. As part of this, the kilt was eventually suggested as attire because the Highland Gaels were thought to have maintained more of the culture than the Irish. It was imagined that perhaps the Irish Gaels would also have developed something like the kilt if they had been less thoroughly colonized.

I think there was probably a lot of influence from how fashionable Highland attire had become under Victorian Romanticism, along with a good dollop of myth and legend. This is where Pearse suggested the kilt was not authentic (read: historically accurate) attire but that it was noble and suited their cause. Perhaps there was also a symbolic association between the kilt as the attire of Highlanders who had fought the English at Culloden, and the push towards Irish independence.

This is just my thinking, so I don't have sources to support it. Nonetheless, it all seems reasonable to me for people wishing to adopt a form of cultural attire. The early Irish nationalists chose to imitate their nearest neighbour, who shared a similar language. It also seems reasonable for people not to want to bother; just as most Irish people don't wear kilts, there are apparently lots of Scots -- in Scotland -- who don't wear them either.