Figure 1.--Most boys will take off teir kilts like the boy on the right after they have performed. You can tell he was a dancer because of the white shirt and tie. A few boys continue wearing their kilts like the boy on the left, although hemay still have another dance. Note the suspenders worn with the kilt.

Boys doing Irish dance appear to be more shy about their kilts than boys wearing Scottish kilts. One observable difference at feises, as compared to Highland Gatherings, is that few of the boys performing at feises come to the feis dressed in their kilt costume or continue wearing it after they have performed. Usually the boys change out of their costumes immediately after performing. Parents bring garment bags for the ervent. In contrast it is quite common for boys to come to Highland Gatherings in kilts and to wear them all day. It is unclear why the boys are more shy about wearing kilts. One factor may be the number of men wearing kilts at Scottish Highland Gaterings.

It is unclear why the boys are more shy about wearing kilts. There are a varierty of reasons why the Irish dancers change out of their costumes as soon as possible after dancing.

Irish Dancers Shy

Boys doing Irish dance appear to be more shy about their kilts than boys wearing Scottish kilts. Irish dancers would want to wear their kilts outside of the feis grounds. One observable difference at feises, as compared to Highland Gatherings, is that few of the boys performing at feises come to the feis dressed in their kilt costume or continue wearing it after they have performed. Usually the boys change out of their costumes immediately after performing. Parents bring garment bags for the event. In contrast it is quite common for boys to come to Highland Gatherings in kilts and to wear them all day. A few younger Irish dancers wear their kilts after their performances, but it is not very common.

Mothers Protecting the Costume

HBC believes that mostvof the boys are anxious to change out of their costumes. They often do so on their own with little prompting from their mothers. Another factor, however, is that the costumes are expensive--often more expensive than a Scottish kilt. Thus mother often encourage their sons to cahnge outvof their costumes as soon as possible.

Different Events

Feises and Highland Gatherings oare different types of events. Feis promoters sponsor other events than dancing. Their are instumental, cooking, language, andcother events, The dancing competitions, however, are by far the major events and the principal draw at the event. Highland dance is, by contrast, only one event at a Highland Gathering. Pipe bands, sheepdog trials, athletic contests, and much more are major draws at Highland Gatherings. One factor explaining the different attitudes of boys at Irish feises and Highland Gatherings may be that, unlike Highland Gatherings, the male dancers who are almost all boys, are the only ones at the feis wearing kilts. At the Highland Gatherings, men and boys of all ages wear kilts, including drummers and pipers, burly men participating in Highland Games doing the caber toss and other events. Also many non-perforing attendees wear kilts. Even some Scouts may attend in kilts.

Figure 2.--Most boys bring their dancing costumes to the feises in garment bags rather than wearing them.

Created: July 20, 2000
Last updated: July 20, 2000