To kilt or not to kilt: A St. Paddy's Day conundrum

[Ayin McFye]

Well I wear my kilt about 3-4 times a week. For me St. Patrick's day is just another day to wear it. BUT we do get a large group of us together in kilts and go pub crawling on that day, it's fun. I look forward to it each year. It's a time to spend with my brothers and sisters and have a great time.

I think part of wearing a kilt is NOT caring what other people think. I think if you want to wear you kilt on St. patrick's day then you should. If you don't want to then don't. If someone tries to give you grief, just shrug it off, because you know that you are the more educated individual, and could really debate the symantics of it if you wanted to.

I've worn my Kilt on Cinco de Mayo as well, just because. ( I learned later that it's not a good idea to wear your kilt on Cinco de Mayo, due to a bunch of Irish American's that commited treason against the USA during the war.)

[highlander_Daz]

If your wore it EVERY day no one would think twice about asking !

[DireStraitsFan]

If your wore it EVERY day no one would think twice about asking !

Easy for you to say! You're a Scot. I'm just a poor American mutt of mixed British-Irish descent trying to find his way in life.

[macwilkin]

I've worn my Kilt on Cinco de Mayo as well, just because. ( I learned later that it's not a good idea to wear your kilt on Cinco de Mayo, due to a bunch of Irish American's that commited treason against the USA during the war.)

Cinco de Mayo, the 5th of May, refers to a battle fought at the city of Puebla in 1862, during the occupation of Mexico by Napoleon III. It has nothing to do with the Mexican War of 1846-48, in which the Battalion de San Patricio, made up of some Irish deserters from the US Army -- and there are a good number of myths associated with this unit, mostly that it was "all Irish", which isn't the case. Robert R. Miller's Shamrock & Sword debunks a number of these myths from both sides of the border.

Why do pipe and drum bands in the United States march and play (whilst kilted) in St. Patrick's Day parades?

Because the pipes are also associated with the Irish, and many police and fire departments, the traditional occupation of many Irish immigrants, have pipe bands.

Regards,

Todd

[highlander_Daz]

The kilt is for eveyone , not just Scots my poor American mutt of mixed British-Irish descended friend.
but if you dont want the swooning women and free pints of ale wear your kecks !!!

[Nick the DSM]

you can wear it on that day! since when was their a law that kilts couldnt be worn on st. paddies day!

[DireStraitsFan]

Because the pipes are also associated with the Irish, and many police and fire departments, the traditional occupation of many Irish immigrants, have pipe bands.

Regards,

Todd

Todd-

You bring up another excellent question that I have always wondered at. Police and fire departments are traditional occupations for Irish immigrants. That's why I've always wondered how scottish pipes and drums bands (dressed in highland regalia) became associated (iconic even) of police, fire, and military funerals and other events. Clearly those departments have strong associations with Irish immigrants, so why the Scottish identity? Were those early Irish firemen and policemen of mixed Scots-Irish descent?

This is why I grew up thinking that kilts were Irish.

[macwilkin]

Todd-

You bring up another excellent question that I have always wondered at. Police and fire departments are traditional occupations for Irish immigrants. That's why I've always wondered how scottish pipes and drums bands (dressed in highland regalia) became associated (iconic even) of police, fire, and military funerals and other events. Clearly those departments have strong associations with Irish immigrants, so why the Scottish identity? Were those early Irish firemen and policemen of mixed Scots-Irish descent?

This is why I grew up thinking that kilts were Irish.

A lot of it, I believe, is due to the adoption of traditional Highland attire by Irish Nationalists and the Irish Regiments of the British Army (and odd pairing, to be sure!) at the beginning of the 20th century.

T.

[McClef]

Not that I need a special reason for wearing a kilt anyway but it's my brother's birthday on St Patrick's day and it's his middle name!

His first is David!

I am fortunate to have a kilt to cover all the UK celtic saints so just as my St David's National will be on tomorrow, my Irish National will be worn on St Patrick and St Piran (for Cornwall) falls in between so then will wear my Cornish National.

But if you don't have the "right" tartan for the occasion it is still a symbol of celtic pride and solidarity (rugby internationals forgotten...). The St David's day March in Cardiff will have people from Cornwall and Brittany and they will be as equally accepted and honoured for honouring Wales.

It's no big issue to be kilted on a national day other than your own!

[Kiltman]

So, wear the kilt. There are excuses and reasons not to wear the kilt. This sounds like and excuse not a reason.