Irish tartan Question

**macwilkin** · 11th October 04, 02:00 PM

I just think it's silly to say one can wear this tartan but not in this place, or it might be dangerous if you wear that tartan in that place.

Amen, Bear. 'Nuff said.

As I can get the Ulster Red in town, I would choose that for myself.

Is it (Ulster Red) available in P/V?

Cheers,

T.

**bear** · 11th October 04, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by episcopalscot

I just think it's silly to say one can wear this tartan but not in this place, or it might be dangerous if you wear that tartan in that place.

Amen, Bear. 'Nuff said.

As I can get the Ulster Red in town, I would choose that for myself.

Is it (Ulster Red) available in P/V?

Cheers,

T.

Not that i know of. I was talking about wool just then.

**Mr. Kilt** · 11th October 04, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by bear@bearkilts.com

Sod the politics! Wear what you please.

Hehehe! Well, around here I planned to do just that. The only reason I asked about the origins of that tartan is in 2007 my wife and I will hopefully get to visit N. Ireland to search out my roots. As Ireland in general is still not the most stable of areas in the world, I didn't want to wander around there in the "wrong" tartan. Kinda like wearing a Black Watch in the Republic.

**Mr. Kilt** · 11th October 04, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by episcopalscot

Al,

Good question: I don't believe that the tartan has been officially sanction by the Republic, so I would assume that the "national" refers to the Irish nation as a people, and not as an a government. Someone who was from Northern Ireland certainly could choose to wear it, but I would recommend the Red Ulster Tartan to you over the Irish National:

http://www.ulsterscotsagency.com/tartanandkilts.asp

http://www.lindaclifford.com/IrishUlsterSA.html

(This web page has both the Red & Weathered version of the tartan)

Cheers,

T.

Thanks for the info and links! I've never liked much red in anything as I look horrible in red, but those tartans look fairly nice.

**Donnie** · 12th October 04, 05:12 AM

You know, I figure that, xmarks members aside, about 99.9% of the people out there don't know where a tartan comes from or represents anyway! Wear what you like!

**Daneel** · 12th October 04, 04:39 PM

Bear, I wish that it was possible in Northern Ireland to wear what you like when and where you like. However in reality if I wear my Maclaren in East Belfast (Loyalist area) Its OK. If I wore my Amber irish kilt or one with the tricolours I may not get away with my life. The reverse applies in a Nationalist area 200 yards away from the Loyalist area.I am not going over the top with that comment. Colours and who and where they are being worn could cost you your life. Old wounds have been ripped open here and the pain is running very deep carring a lot of poison with it. We are still having problems after 600yrs plus and my childrens children and for may more generation will carry the scars of today.

**Rufus** · 12th October 04, 08:57 PM

Wow Daneel. I had no idea that things were still that bad over there. I guess the media over here hasn't said anything about relations over there for a while, so I just kind of figured that things had simmered down.

Sorry to hear that there are still problems over there. Stay safe.

**Freelander Sporrano** · 13th October 04, 12:54 AM

Daneel,

How would it be if I came to Ireland wearing my Co Fermanagh? My Father is from there.What would happen down south ?

What about Irish National and Diasphora ?

What reaction would an Irishman in a Scottish kilt get?

When I purchased my Gunn tartan (My surname is a sept)my aunty was on the verge of not speaking to me.She just couldn't understand why I'd buy a Scottish kilt.I couldn't find any referance to our surname on the Irish websites. I didn't know Co Fermanagh was available ,so I took the one I liked best of Gunn, Mackay (Aunties married name..Funny that )and Macloed. I now have a Co Fermanagh on order (Well nearly).This should right things a bit. My sister saw a swatch So she'd like a kilt too now.

OOpps I 'm a bit off track here.

**Jerry** · 13th October 04, 03:47 AM

Originally Posted by Daneel

Bear, I wish that it was possible in Northern Ireland to wear what you like when and where you like. However in reality if I wear my Maclaren in East Belfast (Loyalist area) Its OK. If I wore my Amber irish kilt or one with the tricolours I may not get away with my life. The reverse applies in a Nationalist area 200 yards away from the Loyalist area.I am not going over the top with that comment. Colours and who and where they are being worn could cost you your life. Old wounds have been ripped open here and the pain is running very deep carring a lot of poison with it. We are still having problems after 600yrs plus and my childrens children and for may more generation will carry the scars of today.

I have family (I believe) in County Tyrone. Since my grandmother passed away several years ago, though we haven't had any contact so I don't know for sure that any are still alive. I've been trying to find out, but so far haven't figured out how to do it. Anyhow, a bit off topic for your post, so here is the meat of what I have to say. I saw Tommy Sands in concert at the Potomac Celtic Festival this year and he led the audience to believe that the trouble was at or nearing a political solution over there. As I said in another post, I can support the idea of a free and independent Nothern Ireland, but I can never condone terrorism, no matter what the reason. I hope and pray that the troubles over there will truely end soon with a fair and equitable solution for everyone.

**Colin** · 13th October 04, 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by Rufus

Wow Daneel. I had no idea that things were still that bad over there. I guess the media over here hasn't said anything about relations over there for a while, so I just kind of figured that things had simmered down.

Sorry to hear that there are still problems over there. Stay safe.

Thanks because there is no oil over there , Rufus!