Some boys were educated in the ways of the Shillelagh by the local Maighistir Prionnsa or “fencing master”. Fathers taught their sons how to fight and many young boys received shillelaghs as a significant rite of manhood. By the 19th Century Shillelagh fighting had evolved into a martial art. Faction fights remained a common occurrence up until the 1840s and the last recorded brawl took place in 1887 at a fair in Co. and a great selection of similar New, Used and Collectible Books available now at great prices. While most of these fights were purely for sport they eventually took on a political and violent edge as the years went on. : Shillelagh: The Irish Fighting Stick (9781430325703) by Hurley, John W. During the 18th century bataireacht was practiced primarily with Irish gangs called “factions” who often fought each other at gatherings and events. It seems that from the original Irish staff, spear, axe, stick and sword fighting methods originated the later form of Irish stick fighting which came to be associated with the Shillelagh.īataireacht and “Shillelagh Law” The Shillelagh was the primary weapon used in Bataireacht – a form of traditional Irish stick fighting popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. There are some historical records and references that say the practice of stick-fighting in ancient Ireland was an analog to help train Irish warriors in broadsword and sabre fencing. Shillelaghs can be everything from ornamental keepsakes to walking sticks to lethal fighting sticks, especially when fashioned with lead “loaded” heads. Blackthorn has unique properties and it delivers the correct blend of lightness and hardness which follows a process of cutting, seasoning, oiling, fashioning and sealing. It is typically made from a stout knobby and knotty stick with a knotty head, which can be used for gripping or striking. The Shillelagh was commonly used as a walking cane or walking stick, and can sometimes be described as a cudgel. Shillelaghs are usually made from Blackthorn wood with a leather wrist strap joined to the handle. The Shillelagh is thought to have originated in the village of Shillelagh, County Wicklow, which was once said to be surrounded by vast oak forests. His followers became known as the “Siol Ealaigh” meaning the seed or descendants of Ealach. Without catastrophic failure upon applying it in its secondary role, I would purchase it again.The word Shillelagh comes from the Irish phrase sail éille which translates into English as “thonged willow-stick.”Īnother origination story states that the name came from a king or clan chieftain, Ealach Mac Faelchon who lived in the 7th century AD. Simpson doing his famous glove act trying to fit a medium sized glove on my hand. I have hands on the smaller end of the scale (although I take a large glove?) I look like O.J. Some with larger hands might find it easily comes to hand. The Shillelagh is said to come from the village of Shillelagh in County Wicklow, which was abundant with oak trees. Again, I think that is due to the configuration of the hand. It rhymes with ukulele and consists of three syllables: shill-lay-lee. As someone else remarked, the knob on top doesn't come to hand as easily as I would have hoped. Cold Steel uses the same material in their similar cane, so unless there is some deep defect that is not apparent upon close exterior examination, this should do the job when called upon. It looks as if it would do what is required. Of course, that greatly depends upon my doing my part on the back end. The traditional walking sticks name comes from an old Gaelic word. Of course, I have not had the opportunity to whack someone alongside the head with it, so can't report on how easily it took a bad guy out. Take up a saw, a knife, and your Irish spirit and learn how to make a shillelagh.
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