Beyond the Clans: A Guide to Irish County Tartans and Regional Pride
Ireland is the second most major country worldwide where tartans are proudly worn as symbols of pride and heritage. The country’s patterns belong to its regions or counties rather than clans; moreover, the number of universal tartans is also very minimal compared to Scotland. In this article, we will talk about Irish tartans and whether they represent any county or regional pride. Let’s begin with this uncovered side of tartans.
Table of Contents
ToggleUnderstanding Irish Tartans

The discussion above should have clarified that Irish tartans are distinctive from Scottish tartans. Their uniqueness falls in their meaning, identities, and above all the designs, as Irish tartans are more complex and have brighter shades.=
Likewise, the common shades are white, green, and gold/yellow, which represent landscapes and histories. Above all, Irish kilts or patterns are not everyday wear but are worn occasionally at cultural settings. Tartan patterns in Scotland are classified in two sections: regional and national pride.
Regional Pride: Irish Tartans: Symbols of Shared Identity
Now that you are familiar with types of Irish tartans, let’s briefly understand the universal tartans in Ireland first, then we’ll discuss regional designs.
Saffron Tartan
The most popular tartan in Ireland is saffron tartan, which is the national symbol of the country as.well This particular tartan represents courage and bravery, and initially it was worn by the Irish army only. Today, it is not specific to regimental forces, and everyone wears them, but at cultural events only. Utility Kilt UK sells premium-quality saffron tartan kilts Those who need this kilt with practical features can opt for saffron tartan utility kilts
Irish Green Tartan
You must have seen Irish people wearing tartan kilts with a green background and black, white, and yellow lines intersecting each other and making significant patterns. This design is known as Irish Green tartan, and all the colours it has are popular in Ireland from a cultural perspective. The pattern represents purity, bravery, and lush green landscapes. High-quality Irish Green Tartan kilts are available at Utility Kilt UK at affordable prices.
National Irish Tartan
Irish National tartan also resembles Irish green tartan, but a few differences set them apart and make them easily identifiable. The core colours are also the same, while the check patterns are complex and smaller comparatively. It is also a universal tartan and common to spot at national celebrations in the shape of National Irish Tartan kilts
Heritage of Ireland Tartan
Last but not least, everyone’s Irish tartan on our list is the Heritage of Ireland tartan. This pattern comes with the same shades as well but with more vibrancy. The blue shades on the green background make it more eye-catching, representing the waters of Ireland. Heritage of Ireland tartan kilts are recognisable at first sight because of their unique aesthetics.
Irish County Tartans: Honouring Local Heritage
When it comes to the Irish county tartans, we find 32 counties there, and all of them have their own patterns. These designs are not random selections but were assigned relying on the history, folklore, and culture there. These designs are not everyday wear like universal ones but are worn at formal settings. The regional tartans in Ireland are given below:
| Antrim Tartan | Carlow Tartan | Clare Tartan | Donegal Tartan |
| Dublin Tartan | Galway Tartan | Kildare Tartan | Laois Tartan |
| Limerick Tartan | Longford Tartan | Mayo Tartan | Monaghan Tartan |
| Roscommon Tartan | Tipperary Tartan | Waterford Tartan | Wexford Tartan |
| Armagh Tartan | Cavan Tartan | Kork Tartan | Down Tartan |
| Fermanagh Tartan | Kerry Tartan | Killkeny Tartan | Leitrim Tartan |
| Londonderry Tartan | Louth Tartan | Meath Tartan | Offaly Tartan |
| Sligo Tartan | Tyrone Tartan | Westmeath Tartan | Wicklow Tartan |
Choosing the Right Irish Tartan
Choosing an Irish or Scottish tartan is not much different. In fact, they have the same considerations. Follow the below-given tips to choose the right one.
- Decide earlier what you have to wear, whether you want a regional or a national tartan.
- If wearing at cultural gatherings, opt for your county tartan to expose your identity.
- Most importantly, if wearing a universal pattern, the colours should match the theme of the event.
Preserving Irish Heritage Through Tartan

Preserving Irish heritage through tartans is not a challenging task, but you should follow a few steps to participate. First of all, ensure you are wearing tartan at all events, especially where people from other cultures are participating. While wearing your tartan, tell others about it and the reasons for making it assigned to your county.
Approach Utility Kilt UK to Buy Irish Tartans
Have you decided which type of Irish pattern you are going to buy next? If yes, ensure purchasing from a store that believes in providing quality and affordability altogether. These services are available at many stores but Utility Kilt UK should be your last call because we believe in enhanced comfort. That’s why we customise every kilt for accurate fit and size. Visit our online store right now and get discounted kilts.




