Irish Paddy Hats and Paddy Caps

The Irish Cap or as it is commonly called online the Paddy Hat or Paddy Cap is an essential piece of clothing for anyone attending one of the many Irish Festivals around the world during the summer.

One of the biggest which will kick off 2 weeks from today is the Milwaukee Irish Fest - http://irishfest.com . This festival started in the early 1980's, when the local Irish community gathered to talk about ideas to promote it's Irish heritage. The idea of a 3 day festival was born out of these meetings and now it has grown to be the largest Irish Festival in North America.

The Paddy Hat can be traced back to the 14th century. When Irish immigrants
came to the United States, they brought the Paddy cap with them. Here is the most likely reason that the Paddy Hats became so popular - In 1571, Ireland was still suppressed under British tyranny, and A 1571 Act of Parliament to stimulate the wool trade, decreed that on Sundays and holidays, all males over 6 years of age, except for the rich and nobility, were to wear woollen caps and if they didn't they were fined three farthings (3/4 (pence) per day. The Bill was abandoned in 1597, though over the 26 years it was in effect, the flat cap had become firmly entrenched in the Irish Church going. Paddy caps were worn in the 1800's by the working class men in Ireland. In the 1920 Paddy caps were worn in fashion among young men.

Today it is revived and is a popular item of clothing among celebrity. Check out Actor and Musician Justin Timerlake sporting some Irish fashions.  If you would like to buy an Irish Tweed Hat Click HERE