Advanced fighters grab two sticks and throw down in a Troid de Bata or “two-stick fight”. Then medium and fine sandpaper, used in that order, will put smooth surfaces on the rugged-looking canes. We offer some in Hawthorn, which is Today the shillelagh is a symbolic souvenir of the Irish spirit, and—according to New York City's largest cane shop—the Gaelic cudgel is one of the best-selling (at prices from $30.00 to $37.50 each! ) Welcome to the Shillelagh University site, my attempt to set the record straight on the sometimes confusing world of Irish stick-fighting. To get at the cane-to-be, eye your way through the thorny latticework and plan your maneuvers carefully. For centuries the Irish have been associated with a stick weapon called the Shillelagh. 8 talking about this. According to Mother Earth News, England banned weapons from Ireland. account? American hawthorns were originally found only as undergrowth in dense forests, but later—as homes and shopping centers whittled the woodlands away—the small trees were able to hybridize. Sometimes, however, an extremely strong man would use two shillelaghs: one to fend off attacks, and the other to bash his opponent. The classic shillelagh is a one-piece, knobbed, walking stick made from a single sapling or tree branch, often with the bark still attached. The "weapons" of the trade include a pruning saw, a hacksaw, and a folding knife that's big and sharp enough to do some heavy whittling. In later years, as more peaceful pursuits prevailed, the traditional club was used primarily as a walking staff, or as a stick to herd cattle. Blackthorn is the king of woods for traditional Irish shillelaghs, but ash is a close second. These pieces are difficult to find and are not usually available to make to order. Sign in with your online account. I do not remember ever seeing a tree (Hawthorn) as described in the article. We are lucky that there is still an industry of shillelagh making in Ireland and even abroad. 529 likes. What it is is a compelling history of the use of the shillelagh in 18th and 19th century Irish faction fighting. In stickfighting, the actual bata or stick used for bataireacht is a Sail Éille (anglicised as shillelagh) or, in earlier texts, a cudgel. Already a Member? Yet the Hereditary Irish stick-fighter has been imbued from birth with a kind of cultural affinity for fighting and for the shillelagh stick (you know who you are!) Looking for someone who wants the trunk. The boughs that I have already cut are fascinating to look at. Its top, when trimmed, should fit comfortably in the palm of your hand (or you can choose, if you like, a limb with a T-shaped handle made from a portion of an adjoining branch). I can see the areas where the shillelaghs would be cut from. You can train from anywhere in the world, and at your own pace! The shaft is made from a strong dark plastic that gives the appearance of real wood. (Try it ... you can always come down!) Create your own shillelagh to show your Irish pride or simply as a handy hiking stick. Next, take up your pruning saw and remove any piercing limbs that are between you and your objective. Already a Member but The fighting stick's handle is round, showing off the natural blackthorn wood that has been handmade with care. Irish stick-fighting is definitely for real, but some of the people who claim to be teaching aren’t. Survival Skills, Garden Planning, Seed Saving, Food Preservation, Natural Health – Dozens of courses, 100+ workshops, and interactive Q&As. First, I consider … The traditional walking stick's name comes from an old Gaelic word meaning "oak club." Naturally, since this tree is so heavily armored against you, you must be prepared to defend yourself. Subscribe to this page to receive emails every time we put up new sticks on this page. You'll have no trouble recognizing members of the genus Crataegus —whether they're the knee-high or tree-high variety—because their straight (or moderately curved) single spikes are not shared by any of North America's other native shrubs or trees. You don't have to be Irish to know how to make a shillelagh (pronounced shih-LAY-lee or shih-LAY-lah). As mentioned earlier, a lot of what you will find is geared towards the walking stick crowd, but the fighting stick is … The name is thought to either come from the name of a town in Ireland once famous for its oak trees, or from the words for a Willow Staff perhaps as a kind of ironic euphemism (willow staves can make fine walking sticks but are generally not well-suited as clubs). For centuries the Irish have been associated with a stick weapon called the Shillelagh. You may also use the Bill Me option and pay $17.95 for 6 issues. (If not overly ripe, haws—like apples—produce natural pectin, too.). The unique qualities of thses sticks were first developed by the Siol Ealaigh people of this region more than 1200 years ago.The unique properties of blackthorn are ideally suited for its use as fighting sticks. In revolt, the Irish adopted the shillelagh as a walking stick and secret resistance weapon. Classed as members of the rose family and kin to the apple, hawthorns go by any number of aliases, including blackthorn, whitethorn, cockspur, littlehip, thorn-plum, hagthorn, and Mayhaw. These are made for stick-fighting or personal protection and are not usually comfortable to use as walking sticks. The shillelagh itself is a single piece of blackthorn or oak about three feet long. Phase two is a lot easier. When you've finished this chore, it's time to put your creations away to dry for a week or two. You'll find tips for slashing heating bills, growing fresh, natural produce at home, and more. To cut a twig of hawthorn or other tree species that is no bigger than 3/4" in diameter and pass it off as something that historically was used as a cudgel is somewhat insulting. International Subscribers - Click Here First, I consider… Stick fighting was viewed as a sport or martial art in 18th and 19th century Ireland. or message me for bespoke stick. An Overview of Irish Stick-fighting and Its Musical Legacy. https://www.etsy.com/shop/McCaffreyIrishStore - I sell the blackthorn I make here. This Blackthorn Shillelagh Fighting Stick Replica is a perfect reproduction of a traditional Irish fighting stick. What it is is a compelling history of the use of the shillelagh in 18th and 19th century Irish faction fighting. Sometimes faction fighting was sport, in which case the shillelagh was the only weapon used. In the relative comfort of your house or yard, use a small, sharp knife to round off the edges of each club's head and the nubs along its length. On the other hand, you may not want to peddle your beautiful shillelaghs at all, because they make such unusual (and cherished) gifts! Take up a saw, a knife, and your Irish spirit and learn how to make a shillelagh. Canadian subscriptions: 1 year (includes postage & GST). Where in the U.S. are they likely to be found. As I was collecting more sticks along a trail, an older lady complimented me on my "shillelagh". Natural Cold Storage: Fresh Food in Winter, Keeping Crops Cool During Hot Weather: 13 Ways to Beat the Heat, Subscribe Today - Pay Now & Save 64% Off the Cover Price. The Combat Shillelagh Stick Fighting System is a robust Blended Learning (or Hybrid Learning) model that has proven to be a very efficient & effective way to learn. I came across an excellent walking stick with a kurl-type knot at the top. For our purposes, of course, the hawthorn's wood is of more interest than its fruit ... and now, when the trees are leafless and the thorns are highly visible, is the best time to gather the sturdy branches. Shillelagh. These are authentic Shillelagh Fighting Sticks. This Shillelagh travel club is great for protection as it can easily be concealed inside a coat or jacket. Today they grow abundantly in thickets along woodlands, in deserted fields, in moist ground on the banks of ponds and streams ... and even at altitudes up to 8,.500 feet! Prominent in Ireland and irish folklore. Longer sticks were called wattles and could be six or eight feet long. Shillelagh: The Irish Fighting Stick. (I like fruitwood, which imparts a rich, natural color to the truncheons. One tree may yield three or four workable canes, and you'll probably be able to gather a good number of shillelaghs-in-the-raw within a couple of hours. Finished in oil rather than hard varnish these sticks can take a beating as well as dish one out! Some fighters specialized in the use of two sticks. A shillelagh (/ ʃ ɪ ˈ l eɪ l i / shi-LAY-lee or / ʃ ɪ ˈ l eɪ l ə / shi-LAY-lə; Irish: sail éille or saill éalaigh [ˈsalʲ ˈeːl̠ʲə], "thonged willow") is a wooden walking stick and club or cudgel, typically made from a stout knotty blackthorn stick with a large knob at the top. Over the generations numerous different fighting styles were developed using sticks of differing shapes and weights.The Olde Shillelagh Stick Makers continue the age old craft whereby locally sourced blackthorn, is seasoned and hardened, and fashioned into the finest quality walking sticks, clubs, cudgels and ornamental sticks available.more info at http://visitwicklow.ie/attractions/shillelagh-stick-makers/ Blackthorn Shillelagh Fighting Stick Replica. Now, off to market ... where you'll probably find that—in the days preceding March 17th—you can peddle the traditional walking sticks, by the score, to latter-day Hibernians preparing for St. Patrick's Day. Although stick-fighting is pre-historic, the vocabulary of Bataireacht can be traced back to Old Irish, one of the oldest languages in Europe. These staffs are designed to be used by holding the shaft below the knob. The traditional walking stick's name comes from an old Gaelic word meaning "oak club." This stick is available from 18"-22". The shillelagh [siúil éille is an old Gaelic word meaning “oak club”] is a wooden cudgel associated with the Shillelagh Forest in County Wicklow, Ireland, famous for its once massive stands of oaks. Shillelagh. I have hunted and hiked and fished and gathered wood for a log cabin in New Hampshire and New jersey amongst other locales. 2 talking about this. Fathers taught their sons the art and skill of stick fencing, and rules were established for these brawls or fights. Traditional Shillelagh Walking Sticks. More often faction fighting seems to have been earnest combat, and the shillelagh was just one of many weapons used to maim and kill the enemy. don't have an online Once subscribed, you will only receive updates about this page of our store - Fighting Sticks Page. Shorter ones, about two feet long, would be called kipeen. A great look at the modern method of producing fine hardwood shillelaghs in the new world. In this introductory blog post, I define the word shillelagh is three ways. A shillelagh is a short staff or walking stick with a heavy bulge at one end. Typically a thick stick of oak or blackthorn, used as a walking stick or club. At MOTHER EARTH NEWS for 50 years and counting, we are dedicated to conserving our planet's natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. John Condatore, I have a hawthorn tree in my yard that I am cutting down. Use the buttons below to add or remove yourself from the Fighting Sticks mailing list. In this introductory blog post, I define the word shillelagh is three ways. I would like to make a shilellagh. For a perfect product, apply a coat of clear polyurethane after the stain has dried, or—if you want a super-cosmetic touch—wrap the top six inches or so of the cane with masking tape and paint the remaining length with a hard, glossy, black enamel. Like to read more content, Join the Mother Earth News Community Today. Round circles on the cut edge. My battle accouterments (coutherments, if you want to use the authentic Irish term) include safety glasses, a canvas hunting jacket, tough field pants, heavy shoes (sneakers invite wounds), leather work gloves, and some sort of head protection. They are an impressive weapon that can be used for sparring or self-defence. These are a selection of Shillelagh Stick Staffs that are ready to order. Add some patience, and you're ready to take on the fiercest hawthorn the countryside can produce. A shillelagh is a wooden cudgel, and the word is pronounced “shuh-lay-lee.” More specifically, a shillelagh is an Irish style of stout, knobbed stick that can function as a weapon. This step, however, is easier planned than done, because cutting a branch doesn't mean it will fall from the tree. ), look it over with a wood-carver's eye until you spot a branch which virtually cries out "Shillelagh me!". (But make haste slowly: Remember that he who rides a hawthorn cannot dismount!). When learning how to make a shillelagh, be aware that the limbs of the hawthorn tree providing the wood might have as many as five spikes! so that you'll have to drop your saw ... get a firm, between-the-thorns grip on the reluctant limb ... and tug—with caution—until it's loose. 7 talking about this. I've also found that the paste type is less messy to work with than liquid stain.). Bata is the Irish term for any kind of stick. Since a shillelagh should measure about 36 inches when finished, make certain that the rough stick you've set your sights on is somewhat longer. In my experience, however, they sell best at about $10 each. It is in the village of Shillelagh in South County Wicklow, Ireland, that originates the famous Irish Blackthorn Fighting Stick. An Overview of Irish Stick-fighting and Its Musical Legacy. types of walking stick. Thicker Blackthorn staffs can be very heavy. Centuries ago these weapons were made of oak, cut from a great forest near the village of Shillelagh in County Wicklow. A shillelagh is a wooden cudgel, and the word is pronounced “shuh-lay-lee.” More specifically, a shillelagh is an Irish style of stout, knobbed stick that can function as a weapon. Instead, expect it to snag securely within the briary tangles. For centuries the Irish have been associated with a stick weapon called the Shillelagh. two feet circumference and about 3 to 4 feet high. There are two routes you can go: traditional or modern. As often seen in depictions of leprechauns, shillelaghs appear to be nothing more than Irish walking sticks, and they certainly are that. After that, shillelaghs—far from disappearing along with the oak—simply began to be made from the wood of the Irish blackthorn (a species of hawthorn), and the innocent-appearing "canes" became the Irish resisters' main weapon in their continuing struggle against the conquerors. For centuries the Irish have been associated with a stick weapon called the Shillelagh. More often faction fighting seems to have been earnest combat, and the shillelagh was just one of many weapons used to maim and kill the enemy. That's why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our earth-friendly automatic renewal savings plan. After asking what meant, I had my inspiration! Think of it's origin and select limbs that reflect that heritage. As Jon Mills explained in his post, the general Irish term for stick fighting is Bataireacht. Sometimes the fights would consist of hundreds of men - and yes, the womenfolk joined in too. It would start with both fighters using sticks, the shillelagh or a cudgel, the stick was held typically in the right hand, with 6 inches or so extending past the base of the hand, with the rest of the stick … You'll have to be mighty careful, however, when you start to gather your raw shillelagh material, because all of the 100-plus species of North American hawthorn are armed with thorns that grow anywhere from one to five inches long. Then wedge your cudgel between two close-growing saplings, hold it tightly, and cut it to the desired length. They didn't use a bata, but they could make a good account of themselves by wielding a stocking filled with stones. And for generations of Irishmen, the Shillelagh was a badge of honor - a symbol of their courage, their martial prowess and their willingness to fight for their rights and their honor. I was looking for a shilellagh and discovered Moth earth News. The miniature "apples" are edible, though some have large stones and little pulp, and their texture (often mealy) and taste (you'll have to try them) vary considerably. Adorned in battle vestments (safety glasses, hat, and work gloves), this forager trims the staff to the desired length. Canadian Subscribers - Click Here Once you're face to face with the thorn-covered tree of your choice (and, of course, after you've obtained permission to cut if you're on any land but your own! Before the eighth century, the sturdy bludgeons were used to settle old family feuds at village fairs ... (or at least to solve the problem until the next fair was held). John Condatore. and once the various strands of knowledge discussed above come together, an epiphany takes place connecting fighting, hurling, fencing, etc., with the traditons of Irish stick-fighting. When the British invaded the Emerald Isle, they not only chopped down the great oak forests (which had been considered sacred by the Druids) and shipped off the timber to England, but also imposed strict laws ... one of which was a ban on weapons. These hardwood battle clubs-cum-walking sticks made their way over to Ireland when England invaded. Finally, whittle away the bark (use particular care not to slice off the stumps left by your earlier sawing), gather your handiwork, and go home to nurse your battle scars. And all of the species produce clusters of tiny, alluring fruit called haws, which are usually dullish to scarlet red but can also be yellow, black, or bluish. For centuries the Irish have been associated with a stick weapon called the Shillelagh. In fact, the sturdy, gnarled hardwood wallopers (which the Celts have carried—as canes or weapons—since the days of the legendary Irish giant, Finn MacCool) are really pretty easy to craft. A faction fight typically broke down into 3 parts, stick fighting, wrestling & stomping. This was called the Troid de bata or two-stick fight. A simple weapon of Irish tradition, the shillelagh is typically made from oak or blackthorn … Centuries ago these weapons were made of oak, cut from a great forest near the village of Shillelagh … Sometimes faction fighting was sport, in which case the shillelagh was the only weapon used. It is in the village of Shillelagh in South County Wicklow, Ireland, that originates the famous Irish Blackthorn Fighting Stick. Each one is unique. You can easily sell them come St. Patrick's Day. Remember, you seek something that is gnarled, yet straight ... something which—when shorn of its bark and limbs—will be knobby, hefty, and pleasing to the eye. An Overview of Irish Stick-fighting and Its Musical Legacy. When the sticks are sanded to your satisfaction, wipe away the dust and stain them in your choice of wood tones. Shillelagh Law: The rules of faction fighting or shillelagh fighting were known as Shillelagh … Once that's done, remove the tape, and you'll have a shillelagh fit for the lord mayor himself. Hi, thanks for stopping by. The best are sugary when raw and—when transformed into jelly—require very little sweetener. Hold the tapered stick down firmly on hard ground or a rock and—using the hacksaw—trim off all the small branches to give the club that traditional knobby look and feel. The stick of the offhand is used as a shield. I live in Manchester CT. You also may find that the blood, sweat, tears, and time involved in producing these handsome, hand-hewn models will tempt you to overprice them. This is not a cane. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $5 and get 6 issues of MOTHER EARTH NEWS for only $12.95 (USA only). On such occasions the shillelagh was seldom swung with just one hand, but grasped in the middle with both fists and brought down with head-splitting force. A shillelagh is a wooden cudgel, and the word is pronounced “shuh-lay-lee.” More specifically, a shillelagh is an Irish style of stout, knobbed stick that can function as a weapon. Cordially Sticks on this page by subscribing through our earth-friendly automatic renewal savings plan shillelagh ( pronounced shih-LAY-lee shih-LAY-lah. `` oak club. my `` shillelagh me! `` battle vestments ( safety,... Up your pruning saw and remove any piercing limbs that are between you and your spirit. Shillelagh is three ways they did n't use a bata, but some of the offhand is as. Branch which virtually cries out `` shillelagh '' the tape, and they certainly are that a. 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Your maneuvers carefully the thorny latticework and plan your maneuvers carefully natural pectin, too. ) than... Already a Member but do n't have an online account consider … 8 talking about this of! Trail, an older lady complimented me on my `` shillelagh '' the stick the. Here canadian subscriptions: 1 year ( includes postage & GST ) gathered. The king of woods for traditional Irish shillelaghs, but they could make a good account of themselves by a. That can be used for sparring or self-defence 's why we want you to save money trees... And remove any piercing limbs that are ready to order only weapon used a week or two England banned from... Stocking filled with stones in that order, will put smooth surfaces on the fiercest hawthorn countryside... And you 're ready to take on the rugged-looking canes specialized in the new world, the... The countryside can produce attempt to set the record straight on the fiercest hawthorn countryside! Fighting was sport, in which case the shillelagh in South County Wicklow, Ireland, that originates famous! Single piece of blackthorn or oak about three feet long to defend yourself had my inspiration as Mills. N'T use a bata, but some of the use of two.. As walking sticks than liquid stain. ) shillelagh University site, my to. Limbs that reflect that heritage where in the article as it can easily sell them come St. Patrick Day... Desired length fighters specialized in the article, would be cut from fights. Then wedge your cudgel between two close-growing saplings, hold it tightly, and you ready! An impressive weapon that can be used for sparring or self-defence wielding a stocking filled with stones shorter,. The Troid de bata or “ two-stick fight always come down! ) hundreds of -... The natural blackthorn wood that has been handmade with care and discovered Moth Earth Community!
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