Irish Translation Forum

Pól wrote:I must say I always thought Tartan was confined to Scotland.

just shows ya what I know!


http://www.tartanweb.com/tweb/irish.htm

You live and learn. I didn't know that counties had tartan colours either I must confess. What would we do without the internet.

Education is an interesting phenomenon. I had to travel all the way to the States to find out that 'cornbeef and cabbage' was considered some kind of Irish national dish!!!

When you consider that the Irish county boundaries are an English imposition (mid 1500s), the idea of County Tartan's is a bit suspect!!

I wonder if the county was ever a meaningful basis of identity for a person before the advent of the GAA? I'm trying to think of any important references to an person's country from before the late 19th century, and my mind is blank.

The cynic in me also wonders if these "county tartans" weren't invented by canny Scottish clothing manufacturers who wanted to take advantage of the huge market of people who will buy absolutely anything if they think it celebrates their Irish "heritage."

Hmmm the only blokes I've seen in a skirt are from Scotland...or perhaps the sub club?!

ts ts...goths now wear em too...sub or otherwise

oisin718,

If tartans are originally Scottish wouldn't that lead you to believe that they probably started in Ireland? From my understanding the Scotti that colonized Scotland were Irish Celts that simply were looking for more land. So imo the question could be posed this way, is the kilt/tartan something that was lost in Ireland, or was it brought to Scotland from another culture that came there AFTER the Scotti emegrated from Ireland?

Andrew