Hmm, it seems that through this thread its is becoming evident that we are talking about two different 'general public's i.e the Irish general public, and the general public outside Ireland.
I think you are correct, I based my statement on my limited experiences here in the states (and described it as such). I certainly did not intend to infer that my experiences were indicative of all perceptions. Just those people I've had contact with. Sorry if that was confusing.
I think you are correct, I based my statement on my limited experiences here in the states (and described it as such). I certainly did not intend to infer that my experiences were indicative of all perceptions. Just those people I've had contact with. Sorry if that was confusing.
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Well, even with limited experience I'd trust your judgement over mine in regards to the perception of the American public.
But it seems evident from you and other posters' experiences that Irish kilts are more readily identified and accepted as Irish in America.
Although maybe its the case that kilts are rarely worn day to day in Ireland, so they seem out of place in these settings.
Thanks for the reply, Jock.
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Blackrose87, that has been the bothering sense for me about the Irish kilt and tartan subject. It seems, from my prospective, this is not something that has emerged and been sustained by the Irish people in Ireland. I worry that this either is, or has the potential to become, yet another thing being thrown in the face or shoved down the throats of Irish people by tourists from over here on the American corner of the world.
That is why I said, perhaps we, over here, should think of these as Irish-(fill in country of origin) expressions of kilts when we don them, instead of Irish kilts...
I tried to ask my inner curmudgeon before posting, but he sprayed me with the garden hose…
Yes, I have squirrels in my brain…
Thanks for the reply, Jock.
***
Blackrose87, that has been the bothering sense for me about the Irish kilt and tartan subject. It seems, from my prospective, this is not something that has emerged and been sustained by the Irish people in Ireland. I worry that this either is, or has the potential to become, yet another thing being thrown in the face or shoved down the throats of Irish people by tourists from over here on the American corner of the world.
I don't think it's got to that stage. Not yet anyway. Before I moved to Scotland I had no idea that different Irish tartans existed, and the majority of people in Ireland are probably the same.
So I don't think they're being shoved in our face or anything. To be honest Irsh-Americans aren't really on the radar of most of the people in Ireland. The traditions and customs we do see are usually quite perplexing to us, as they usually have nothing to do with Ireland.
So maybe your ight about the Irish tartans being described as Irish-Ameican/Candian/Australian etc.
But the only time I can see them being shoved down our throats is for example,
an American wearing a Donegal tartan telling a man in Ballybofeythat that he should be wearing the same, as it's 'his tartan'.
Last edited by Blackrose87; 16th March 12 at 11:36 AM.
But it seems evident from you and other posters' experiences that Irish kilts are more readily identified and accepted as Irish in America.
I'm not sure it's a case that "Irish" kilts are identified as Irish in America. I think that most people in the US have the erroneous notion that kilts are Irish.
Simply put, a good percentage of Americans who are ignorant about kilts and their history simply and erroneously believe that kilts are the national attire of the Irish. Why? Because Irish-American firemen, policemen, and AOH members usually have kilted bagpipers at their parades and funerals (The Black Watch played for President Kennedy's funeral...) Likewise, many St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the US feature a GHB piper in a Scottish kilt.
In this case, the child is dressing up "as an Irishman" for school. How does one do that? Apparently by wearing a kilt. I really don't think this is a case where someone is making reference to the failed attempts of Irish Nationalists to have the kilt as their symbol, nor do I believe it's a case where "Irish" tartans or solid color kilts are being considered.
Why also might Americans think that? Because a "plaid" kilt is being marketed (complete with a shamrock-bedecked package) at the St. Patrick's Day sales display at their local mega-mart: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...hunters-72768/
Why else might someone erroneously think that the kilt is an Irish garment? Because Guinness, which is usually the only Irish beer that Americans know (no, "Killian's Red" is made in good old Golden, Colorado), advertises using a fellow in a kilt and Prince Charlie Coatee: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...g-other-72570/
Americans, unfortunately, are quite ignorant about a great many things. One thing most Americans are ignorant about is the kilt.
Last edited by davidlpope; 16th March 12 at 12:02 PM.
I'm not sure it's a case that "Irish" kilts are identified as Irish in America. I think that most people in the US have the erroneous notion that kilts are Irish.
Simply out, a good percentage of Americans who are ignorant about kilts and their history simply and erroneously believe that kilts are the national attire of the Irish. Why? Because Irish-American firemen, policemen, and AOH members usually have kilted bagpipers at their parades and funerals (The Black Watch played for President Kennedy's funeral...) Likewise, many St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the US feature a GHB piper in a Scottish kilt.
In this case, the child is dressing up "as an Irishman" for school. How does one do that? Apparently by wearing a kilt. I really don't think this is a case where someone is making reference to the failed attempts of Irish Nationalists to have the kilt as their symbol, nor do I believe it's a case where "Irish" tartans or solid color kilts are being considered.
Why also might Americans think that? Because a "plaid" kilt is being marketed (complete with a shamrock-bedecked package) at the St. Patrick's Day sales display at their local mega-mart: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...hunters-72768/
Why else might someone erroneously think that the kilt is an Irish garment? Because Guinness, which is usually the only Irish beer that Americans know (no, "Killian's Red" is made in good old Golden, Colorado), advertises using a fellow in a kilt and Prince Charlie Coatee: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...g-other-72570/
This has been my experience too David, and as a Scotsman living in the Boston area, I am always asked if I am Irish (both when kilted and in trousers). By the way, I may be considered softly spoken but I speak Scottish Standard English/Scots with a western central Lowland Scots accent.
Last edited by Peter Crowe; 16th March 12 at 12:09 PM.
Simply put, a good percentage of Americans who are ignorant about kilts and their history simply and erroneously believe that kilts are the national attire of the Irish. Why? Because Irish-American firemen, policemen, and AOH members usually have kilted bagpipers at their parades and funerals (The Black Watch played for President Kennedy's funeral...)
Mostly right. Nine pipers from the Black Watch played as President Kennedy's cortege left the White House on its way to St. Matthew's Cathedral. The United States Air Force Pipe Band played at the funeral. See somewhere around 2:10...
Kenneth Mansfield
NON OBLIVISCAR My tartan quilt: Austin, Campbell, Hamilton, MacBean, MacFarlane, MacLean, MacRae, Robertson, Sinclair (and counting)
Mostly right. Nine pipers from the Black Watch played as President Kennedy's cortege left the White House on its way to St. Matthew's Cathedral. The United States Air Force Pipe Band played at the funeral. See somewhere around 2:10...
I'll take "mostly right" any day of the week. Now if I could only get them to understand that at work...
Mostly right. Nine pipers from the Black Watch played as President Kennedy's cortege left the White House on its way to St. Matthew's Cathedral. The United States Air Force Pipe Band played at the funeral. See somewhere around 2:10...
Hmmm. After viewing the video, it's apparent they didn't play particularly well, either...
Do you know any more details? Were they jet-lagged?
Last edited by davidlpope; 16th March 12 at 12:48 PM.
Originally Posted by Blackrose87
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