News Release

DUBLIN, January 6, 2020.  It began in Ottawa as a private house party. In 2015, with the help of the Scottish Society of Ottawa, it spread to cities across Canada. Last year it became part of the winter festivities in New York City. And now the tradition of celebrating Scottish heritage with bare knees and ice is coming to Ireland.

The first-ever “Tartan Kilt Skate – Dublin” will take place at South Dublin on Ice, Tallaght Stadium, on Saturday, January 11, from 8 p.m.  The date is significant, says Canadian organizer Don Cummer.  “It’s the 205th birthday of Sir John A. Macdonald, the architect of Canada’s Confederation and our first Prime Minister. Years ago, we began celebrating his birthday at my home in Ottawa by skating on the Rideau Canal.  Now the kilt skate has gone international.”

In cities across Canada, scores of people take to the skating rinks each year in their kilts, tartans and other Scottish paraphernalia. Cummer, who is married to a Dublin woman and spends much of the year here, hopes he’ll be joined Saturday night by family and friends, and anyone else looking for a fun evening.  “You don’t have to wear a kilt to kilt skate,” he says.  “You don’t have to be Scottish. Wear something tartan and come join your friends on the ice.”

Some friends will be coming from far away to participate.  “I attended the early kilt skates in Ottawa,” says Iain G. Mitchell, QC, an Edinburgh-based barrister. “We never thought then that these house parties would morph into a Canadian phenomenon.”  This year, kilt skates will be held in Montreal, Ottawa, Glengarry (winner of last year’s title of “Kilt Skate Capital”), Toronto, Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Calgary – as well as New York City and Dublin. 

Cummer’s wife, proud Dubliner Paula McCann, has attended past kilt skates in Montreal and Toronto. “I think it’s an incredibly imaginative bonding experience.  All Canadian cities should have a kilt skate. It’s great fun and we’re delighted to bring it to Dublin.” 

In Canada, kilt skates are usually held outdoors and the temperatures have been as low as minus-40. What’s it like skating in a kilt under those conditions?  Cummer replies, “I don’t want to bare any secrets about Scottish culture, but your cheeks get cold, and your other cheeks get cold, and you just get used to it.”

Skaters this Saturday needn’t worry about frostbite: the event will be at an indoor rink. The admission to South Dublin on Ice, which includes skate rental, is

• Adults €15,

• Children €13,

• Family of 4 (2 Adults & 2 Children) €50,

• Family of 5 (2 Adults & 3 Children) €60.

Participants are encouraged to arrive early to prepare for a skating that will run from 20:00 to 20:45.

For more information and many photos of past events, see Cummer’s website: www.kiltskate.com.

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