The kilt wasn't really adopted by the Irish until the late 19th century; Irish nationalists seeking a way to distinguish themselves from their "West Britain" opponents adopted Highland attire as a way to return to their "Gaelic" past, even though the kilt really wasn't a part of it; Patrick Pearse, the leader of the 1916 Easter Rebellion, adopted a kilt as a uniform for his boy's school, and other rebel leaders, such as Thomas Ashe and The O'Rahilly wore kilts.

At the same time, the Irish regiments of the British Army began outfitting their pipers in Highland attire, producing the saffron kilt and the "traditional" Irish pipers attire. The kilt was later adopted by the new armed forces of the Irish Free State and later, the Irish Republic.

So it was an odd mix of Irish nationalists and the Irish regiments of the British Army that gave us the custom of the Irish wearing kilts today. :mrgreen:

Of course, there are many cultural connections between Eire and Alba; some historians believe that St. Patrick was born in Dumbarton, Scotland (others say Wales), and the two countries share another famous saint, Columba (right, Graham?) -- and then there's the galoglass, the West Highland mercenaries who fought in Ireland, the Kingdom of the Scots, Dalraida -- I could go on an on.

Regards,

Todd