Fathers passed their knowledge and skills down to their sons. Irish Martial Artsīy the 19th century, the sport returned to Bataireacht, and it evolved into martial arts. The last recorded fight occurred in 1887 at the County Tipperary fair. The fights were either between clans or, more often, politically motivated by the factions. But it developed into its style of hitting rather than a slicing motion. The style of fighting was based on fencing originally.

Irish factions (similar to gangs) would spar against each other with a more violent style of Bataireacht. Think of Shillelagh Law as a safer sword fight and done so for sport during festivities.īut as with any competition, it can take on a more sinister role. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Bataireact was the name for a common form of Irish stick fighting. The shorter the cane, the more powerful weapon it becomes, referred to as a bata or cudgel. Measuring from the ground up, should be elbow high. These heavier versions are known as preloaded or loaded sticks, respectively.Īnd lastly, the length of your stick should fit your height. If made with heavy Blackthorn, there is no need to add weight. Some will hollow out the hitting end and fill it with heavy molten metal.

When the stick finishes curing in the smoke, it is buried in dung to keep it moist and prevent cracking. Then the stick is placed up a chimney or over a fire to be cured, like a piece of meat. According to Irish Central, a thick knobby stick with the bark intact is slathered in whiskey butter. I was surprised by all that goes into making an authentic Shillelagh. The Irish fighting stick has a leather wrist strap. In essence, a Shillelagh is a thick, knotty walking stick or cane made from Blackthorn or oak. The Shillelagh is said to come from the village of Shillelagh in County Wicklow, which was abundant with oak trees. So how do you pronounce Shillelagh? It rhymes with ukulele and consists of three syllables: shill-lay-lee. They complete your traditional styles of Gaelic wear with your clothes and accessories from The Celtic Croft. Shillelaghs are a popular gift store item in Ireland. In Irish, it translates to “descendants of Éalach,” and the Gaelic know a shillelagh as a bata or fighting stick. Shillelagh comes from the words sail éille, translated into English means thonged willow-stick. What in the world is a Shillelagh? It’s an Irish fighting stick. I’ll refrain from telling my off-colored joke about what’s under a kilt and a Shillelagh.

Making shillelagh