Article
Ulster
The Ulster tartan is an interpretation of the fabric dug out in 1956 from an earth bank on the farm of a Mr William Dixon in the townland of Flanders, near Dungiven, County Londonderry. The peaty soil had preserved the material which was analysed as being circa end of 16th century. The garments comprised remnants of tartan trews, tunic, belt and coat. Parts of the fabric weren't quite so faded which allowed another reconstruction of the original colours in the Ulster, Red.
Ulster (Ulaidh) or Cúige Uladh is one of the provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland it was one of the ‘fifths’ ruled by a 'rí ruirech', or ‘king of over-kings’. The definition of the province was fluid from early to medieval times. It took definitive shape in the reign of King James I of England when all the counties of Ireland were eventually shired. This process of evolving conquest had been underway since the Norman Conquest and invasion of Ireland, particularly as advanced by the Cambro-Norman magnates Hugh de Lacy and John de Courcy.
Ulster was a central topic role in the parliamentary debates that eventually resulted in the Government of Ireland Act 1920. Under the terms of the Act, Ireland was divided into two territories, Southern Ireland and Northern Ireland, with the border passing through Ulster province; Cavan Donegal and Monaghan counties – whilst part of Ulster – were assigned to the Irish Free State. Ulster has no official function for local government. Northern Ireland is often referred to as ‘Ulster’, despite including only six of Ulster’s nine counties.
Choose from one of the Ulster tartans listed below:
