Historians are still arguing and debating about the topic of the history of the Irish kilt. But it would appear the Islands and Highland of Scotland is where the Irish kilt originated. Around the turn of the 20th century, most historians apparently agree that the Irish kilt was adopted by Irish Nationalists. However, there are still some people who believe that the Irish kilt was worn in Ireland as far back as the 16th century.
For several centuries the Irish men wore the Lein-croich, which is a long tunic made primarily out of linen. There are numerous depictions that can be found in early carvings all over Ireland. While these carvings frequently depict the Lein-croich as a kilt, it isn't really a kilt.
The Saffron kilt is one of the most widely seen types of Irish kilt. This type of kilt was first adopted by the Irish Regiments who served in the British army. The Royal Irish Rangers still wear these Irish military kilts today. However, Irish tartans are becoming ever increasingly popular today and the Irish kilts aren't colored Saffron any longer.
Scottish Families or Clans are primarily associated with Irish Districts or Counties, unlike Scottish tartans that are associated with Scottish Clans. These tartans were first produced in 1996 and were primarily intended for the Irish/American marketplace and are therefore a rather new development. In fact, they are so much of a new development that these Irish tartans are virtually unobtainable and unknown in Ireland. The fact is that the kilt itself is still seen in Ireland as being mainly Scottish.
This is the primary reason that you will seldom, if ever, see a kilt worm on the streets of Ireland. Therefore it would appear that the Irish kilt doesn't have as long of a history as the Scottish kilt.
But there are thousands of Irish/Americans who wear their Irish kilts with an immense amount of pride and couldn't care less about the history of the Irish kilt. They don't care if the historians argue and debate about the history of the Irish kilt until the cows come home. The will continue to wear their Irish kilts proudly because the fact is that there is no better way to honor and celebrate your Irish heritage, than with an Irish kilt. Therefore if you're feeling your Irish oats, why not try donning an Irish kilt and let everyone know what your heritage is?
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