YOUR GUIDE TO
WHO & WHAT is St. Patrick's Day?
St. Patrick's Day offers a chance to explore the rich heritage shared between Ireland and Scotland. While distinct nations, these two Celtic countries boast deep historical and cultural connections, evident in their shared traditions of music, dance, and craftsmanship. This guide delves into the fascinating world of Irish tartans, exploring their vibrant colours and regional significance. We'll also unravel the history of the kilt, a garment with roots in both Scotland and Ireland, and delve into the timeless elegance of Aran knitwear, a craft with enduring appeal across the Celtic Isles.
St. Patrick
The St. Patrick tartan has an uncertain origin. Evidence suggests the tartan's roots lie in the United States, likely originating with the American St. Patrick's Pipe Band. Ireland is not only home to St Patrick but to a whole host of great tartan.
St. Patrick was a 5th-century missionary credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped as a teenager and enslaved in Ireland. After escaping, he returned to Ireland as a Christian missionary and is known as the 'Apostle of Ireland'.
Unlike in Scotland where tartans are predominately representative of a clan, in Ireland, they are more commonly linked to a district or a county, however there are a number of tartans designed to represent Ireland as a whole.
1. Men's Tartan Shirt (Women's version also available) 2. Tartan Mini Kilt 3. Wool Tartan Cufflinks Beaded Tartan Brooch 5. Wool Tartan Tie 6. Tartan Serape & Full Length Kilted Tartan Skirt 7. Wool Tartan Braces 8. Men's Tartan Trousers - Classic Fit & Quarter Zip Lambswool Sweater 9. Tartan Petal Brooch 10. Tartan Eight Quarter Cap, Men's Mid-Thigh Length Tartan Jacket & Brushed Wool Irish tartan Scarf 11. Wee Tartan Hair Bow 12. Men's Tartan Flat Cap 13. Tartan Sporran Bag, Tartan Gathered Skirt & Women's Asymmetrical Cable Aran Cardigan (Ecru) 14. Celtic Wrap Tartan Skirt 15. Scottish Tartan Heart 16. Wool Tartan Tam (also available in children's sizes)
Pride of Ireland Irish
On the 17th of March each year, St. Patrick is celebrated in Ireland and across the world. Originally a religious feast day, it has evolved into a global celebration of Irish culture. The day commemorates the arrival of Christianity and celebrates the rich
culture and heritage of Ireland. St. Patrick's Day is celebrated across the globe from Europe and North America, to South America and Australasia. Celebrations include public parades, festivals, and ceilidhs, with the green of the shamrock a common sight.
Scan to read more about Irish Tartans
Scotland has its very own Pride of Scotland tartan, so it's only fair that the Emerald Isle has its own version, Pride of Ireland.
The Irish National Tartan has become a symbol of Irish pride and a way to celebrate Irish culture.
PROVINCIAL & COUNTY IRISH Tartans
Today, Ireland may only have four provinces, but the Emerald Isle used to be home to five. In the 5th Century, the island was ruled by the "Ri Coicid" or Kings of a Fifth, suggesting that there were five kingdoms; Connaught, Leinster, Meath, Munster, and Ulster. However, Leinster absorbed Meath, resulting in the four provinces that we know today.
Ulster
Ulster is the most northerly of Ireland's four provinces. It is the second-largest province both in terms of size and population and is home to Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. Ulster is home to the largest lake in the British Isles, Lough Neagh, which is bordered by five of the six counties of Northern Ireland. The tartan itself is available in two different variants. The Ulster tartan consists of a gold base, with a red and brown check, making it unique to other Irish tartans. Ulster Red is similar in design but has a red base with a green and gold check.
ULSTER IRISH COUNTY TARTANS: Antrim, Armagh, Cavan, Derry, Donegal, Down, Armanagh, Monaghan, Tyrone
Connaught
Connaught province was home to the first known High King of All Ireland, 'Maelsachniall'. The king was descended from an old line of rulers, who held the name Ui Neill which translates to "the nine hostages". This means that either 'Maelsachniall' or one of his descendants have direct links to Clan MacLachlan. Connaught tartan is bright and colourful with a light green base and a bright pink check.
CONNACHT IRISH COUNTY TARTANS: Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Leitrim, Roscommon
Connemara is a region on the Atlantic coast of County Galway, in the west of Ireland, which is part of the Connaught province. Before the Tudor and Cromwellian conquests, Connemara, like the rest of Gaelic Ireland, was ruled by Irish clans whose Chiefs and their derbhfine were expected to follow the same code of honour also expected of Scottish clan chiefs.
Connemara
Donegal
Tipperary
Cork
Kerry
Limerick Clare
Sligo
Roscommon
Galway
Connemara
Mayo
Unlike Scotland, Ireland does not have a long-standing tradition of family tartans. Scottish tartans are deeply intertwined with clan history and lineage, providing a direct link to ancestry. In Ireland, such a system never fully developed. Counties often serve as strong symbols of regional identity and local pride within Ireland and the 32 Irish county tartans were designed in Scotland in 1996 to fill this void. They offer a way to connect with your Irish roots by representing the specific county of your ancestry.
Leinster Green
Leinster province is home to Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland and is the country's most populous province. The tartan itself combines several different colours including green, blue, yellow and red, resulting in a bold design.
LEINSTER
IRISH COUNTY TARTANS: Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow
Munster
Munster can be found in the south-west of Ireland and is home to the cities of Cork and Limerick. It is home to some of the Emerald Isle's best scenery including Killarney and the Ring of Kerry. The tartan itself, like most Irish tartans, consists of a green base colour, with a red and black check.
MUNSTER IRISH COUNTY TARTANS: Cork, Kerry, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford
Scan to explore the Irish tartans
IRISH KILTS & Facts
The "Lein-croich" was a traditional Irish garment worn from at least the 11th century. It was a long, tunic-like garment, typically made of linen or wool, and often a solid colour like saffron, green, or black. It was worn belted at the waist and could be worn on its own or under other garments.
The Lein-croich is sometimes considered a predecessor to the modern Irish kilt, although there is some debate about the exact connection. Some believe that the modern kilt evolved from the Lein-croich, while others believe that it was adopted from Scotland. Regardless of its origins, the Lein-croich is an important part of Irish history and culture. Scottish and Irish kilts today really only differ in the tartans selected. Scottish tartans are a representation of a Scottish clan, and each Scottish family has their own tartan, distinguished by their surname. However, as we’ve explored Irish tartans are designed to represent the districts and counties of Ireland.
Saffron
Saffron, a vibrant yellowish-orange hue, has long been associated with Ireland. It holds historical significance and is often seen as a symbol of Gaelic tradition and heritage. The saffron kilt gained prominence in the early 20th century when it was adopted by Irish regiments within the British Army. This association with military service further solidified its connection to Irish identity and national pride.
Main photo. Aran Crew Neck Wool Sweater - Ink, Brushed Wool Irish Tartan Scarf, Tartan Sporran Bag & Tartan Gathered Skirt
1. Aran Crew Neck Wool Sweater - Toasted oat, Men's 6 Yard Casual Kilt, Tartan Sporran, Tartan Kilt Flashes & Kilt Socks
2. Aran Crew Neck Wool Sweater - Ecru, Men's 4 Yard Casual Kilt, Tartan Sporran, Tartan Kilt Flashes & Kilt Socks 3. Her: Girl's Wool Tartan Kilt & Childern's Aran Sweater Him: Boy's Wool Tartan Kilt, Semi Formal Sporran, Children's Aran Lumber Cardigan & Boy's Kilt Socks 4. Aran Crew Neck Wool Sweater - Seaweed & Baseball Cap with Tartan Peak 5. Aran Crew Neck Wool Sweater - Ecru & Baseball Cap with Tartan Peak 6. Ghillie Boots, Tartan Kilt Flashes, Men's Kilt Socks & Men's Casual 4 Yard Kilt
ARAN KNITWEAR & Irish Crests
The term "Aran knitwear" comes directly from the place where these sweaters originated: the Aran Islands, located off the west coast of Ireland. The islands have a rich history of fishing and farming, and the sweaters were traditionally made by the islanders for warmth and protection in the harsh Atlantic weather. The Aran Islands are one of the few remaining Gaeltachts (Irish-speaking regions) in Ireland, where Irish is the primary spoken language, adding to the unique cultural atmosphere.
Sept Badges
Traditional Aran sweaters are derived from Worsted wool yarn and have kept generations of fishermen safe, warm and dry while at sea, due to the high levels of lanolin (wool fat) present in the wool. However, our range of Aran Sweaters are knitted using a Supersoft Merino yarn which was designed to stay true to the Aran tradition while offering a sweater that feels soft to the touch and offers an amazingly comforting feel.
Sept is the Irish equivalent of what were called clans in Highland Scotland. Choose from a range of over fifty Irish septs. These badges use the Crests from Irish coats of arms based on the historic examples found in the archives of the Irish Office of Arms (full coat of arms shouldn’t really be worn on such a small scale). The crests are set within a traditional Claddagh circlet, symbolising love, loyalty & friendship along with the Irish-Gaelic rendering of the sept name.
Aran Islands, Ireland
