Figure 1.--This is an undated colorized postcard. It was a commercial postcard produced for the nostalgic-minded tourist. It probably dates to the 1920s. We are not sure, however if it is Irish or Scottish. We are still unsure to what extent kilts were worn in Ireland. Notice the saffron color.

We do not think that Irish boys in modern times wore kilts to any extent, although admitedly I have been able to collect little information on the subject. At least in urban areas they seemed to have dressed much as British boys. This may have been somewhat different in Ulster because of the Scottish influence there. Irish boys do not appear to have kilts in the 19th Century and early 20th Century, many boys, especially those living in rural areas, wore flannel dresses. These dresses were not kilts associated with Celtic warrioirs, but rather were dresses designed to confuse the farries which according to folklore would steal male children. I'm not sure when this began, but was a common practice in the early 19th century and while it declined in the 19th Century, was still the fashion in some areas until after World War I (1914-18). Kilts were worn by military groups, both Irish units in the British Army. As for wearing plaid into battle, the kilt was taken out of operational use after the War, as the hem used to freeze in the trenches and cut into the backs of the knees of those wearing them. 【Freemantle】 The kilt continued to be worn for ceremonial purposes in drum and pipe bands. The boys doing Irish ethnic dance also commonly wore kilts. They were usually brightly colored kilts rather than tartans. Irish dance through most of the 20th century was a little noticed element of Irish culture. It was popularized in the late-20th century by 'River Dance', but in 'River Dance' and many other subsequent theatrical productions, the male dancers wore long black pants rather than kilts. As a result, boys doing Irish dance generally changed to black long pants in the late-20th century. A reader points out that in Frank McCourt's book, Angela's Ashes, there is a discussion about wearing kilts, but that was for Irish step dancing. We are fairly sure kilts were not common in the cities, at least among the working-class. Notice that the image here while posed, is a rural image. While the family home is humble, they would have been relatively well to do. Many Irish boys in rural areas went barefoot. This was certainly the case in the Scotland as well. The Scottish images of boys wearing kilts coming from the Highlands, usually villages. Now this was different for well to do families where boys might have kilts as a dress up outfit. This seems much less common in Ireland.

Sources

McCourt, Frank. Angela's Ashes.

Freemantle, Clive. E-mail, November 11, 2003.

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