Do men still wear kilts in Ireland?

Answer 1

You'd be hard pressed to find anyone outside a tourist, a New York St Patrick s day parade or a pipe band wearing one (and they wear plain saffron). The traditional Irish garment was the leine, the kilt worn now (little kilt or phillabeg/feilidh-beag) was invented by an Englishman Rawlinson whose Scottish workers found the traditional highland kilt or plaide too uncomfortable. The Irish tartans that exist today have nearly all been invented by the Scottish tartan manufacturers in the twentieth century to sell to tourists. They are mostly taken from the colours of the arms of the counties and regions and the colours substituted into Scottish tartans to produce them. Various claims have been made that a number of Irish tartans were shown in a book called Clans Originaux (1880) but when the list was discovered it was more of a pattern book than a literary one and not one Irish pattern was contained. Nor have any other 19th century books on tartan. Pictures purportedly showing the Irish wearing tartan kilts have turned out to be mail quilts (protection) or the bottom of the Irish leine. The only actual Irish historical tartan dated to the 17th century was found in a peat bog in the 1950s in Ulster, the tartan cloth is thought to have been manufactured in Ireland but the actual trews they were made into in Scotland. Given the movement over the sea between the Gaelic cultures of Highlands of Scotland and Ireland historically hardly proof positive that it was Irish tartan.

Answer 2

Only if they really, really want to. Answer: Or, if they really, really have to. As in school uniforms! As a school girl in the 1950s I wore a kilt, as did the other 300+ students. If they have Scottish ancestors they may wear a kilt at weddings for example.

Answer 3

Yes, The Irish DID wear a kilt.Yes, there is lots of confusion about the Léine, and Brat etc. But there are Irish images on 'men in skirts'. When I say skirt, I mean a garment that goes from the hip to the knee, and not joined to the upper shirt.

I'm Irish too, and have worn a kilt all my life, firstly as a dancer, then a piper. Dont forget that even up through the last century ( 1900 -2000 ) Little boys wore 'frocks' or dresses up until they were out of their toddler years. I have a photo of my own Grandfather in one. He was from County Dublin. I know that is not strictly a 'kilt' but it does prove an unbroken link from the days of the Léine - men wore dresses, and a kilt is an acceptable modern take on an earlier form.

Answer 4

No. While kilts can occasionally be seen in Ireland, like in pipe bands, it is something associated with Scotland, not Ireland.

Answer 5

Yes they do. So do the Scottish, well my grandpa does at least. Mostly to Formal occasions, or while playing Bagpipes. :)

Answer 6

No. Lots of people think Ireland and Scotland are the same but they're completley different. The Kilt is traditional Scottish Garb and as such is not worn by the Irish.

Answer 7

No. Scottish people wear kilts also. Mainly at weddings and when the national football (soccer) or Rugby teams are playing.