The Clan O'Brien tartan was first registered on 1 Jan 1995 but was recorded prior to the launch of The Scottish Register of Tartans

Designed by Australian Edward John O'Brian or O'Brien and available for use by all of the name. Colour significance: two red stripes represents the two victorious battles of Brian Boru (978 & 1014); Pale Blue represents ancient Royal Blue which was one of the battle and court colours used by Brian Boru; Gold represents the trimming used for Brian Boru's battle and court colours; Green represents the modern Irish emerald green of the shamrock; Saffron represents the colour used in ancient Ireland dating from 2000 years ago. Usually ordered from D C Dalgliesh.

Our O'Brien ancestors were fiercely protective of the fact that they were of Scottish descent and yet O'Brien is such a typically Irish name.

Maybe YOU can do some research for us and point us in new directions but if you do, please provide your research sources. I can only see our O'Briens going back to early 1800s and at that time, the family is definitely living in Scotland. Do we have records going back further? It's funny because many Scottish families were forced to leave Scotland at the time of the Clearances (both in the Highlands and the Borders) - we don't hear of many families emigrating TO Scotland!

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