It well accounts for the beautiful finish on an antique shillelagh cudgel that i recently acquired. In modern popular culture, the shillelagh has acquired a less appealing image, one that attempts to declaw the irish. It also includes updated projects and a more in depth treatment of the history and philosophy of stickmaking. This wooden walking stick has historically been used as a club or cudgel. Walking sticks are very dependant on the users height, if it is to be comfortable. Hurley shares his book on the history of shillelagh, the irish. If you are irish or want to be this is a great book on the history of the shillelagh that was outlawed by the english and then became the irish walking stick. Nowadays it is simply a hardwood walking stick, quite sturdy though, not to be confused with a cane. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Learn its history and folklore and perhaps the secrets of what makes a. All of our walking sticks are made from the finest, locally grown blackthorn. Eventually, it became synonymous for any irish walking stick. Shillelaghs are usually made from blackthorn wood with a leather wrist strap joined to the handle.
The shillelagh was commonly used as a walking cane or walking stick, and can sometimes be described as a cudgel. A shillelagh is a wooden walking stick and club, or cudgel made from a thick, knotty stick with a large knob on top of blackthorn wood sloe or oak. Shillelaghs are traditionally made from blackthorn wood or oak. History and making of the legendary irish blackthorn walking sticks and shillelaghs. Irish walking stick walking sticks wrestling books stick fight irish mythology irish warrior warrior tattoos irish culture my. I injured my knee 10 years ago and i had to use a walking stick for a while, so i picked up a irish blackthorn walking stick. A shillelagh is a wooden walking stick and club or cudgel, typically made from a stout knotty. Cedsticks blackthorn shillelagh fighting stick master selfdefense to. In ireland, suitable alternatives include ash, holly, oak, hazel, and hawthorn, based on qualities like their toughness and the availability of relatively straight shanks for stickmaking. A shillelagh, a cudgel with a strap is a wooden walking stick.
In his very informative book, things irish, anthony bluett writes that according to a leading folklore authority, the short, stubby blackthorn cudgel sold to tourists as the ancient irish shillelagh has no tradition in ireland at all. Another origination story states that the name came from a king or clan chieftain, ealach mac faelchon who lived in the 7th century ad. The english did not want to appear unreasonable by outlawing walking sticks and canes, so the irish kept their modified shillelaghs and the world gained a beautiful and functional walking stick known simply as the blackthorn. For the reasons described in col mccauls answer, in olden times a sturdy walking stick was a necessary tool in the hands of every countryman. Factions and stickfighting in history and culture boland, mary jane. Im well aware of the butter it and chimney hang it method of shillelagh finishing, but i recently came across the following.
Blackthorn, oak, ash and hazel were traditionally the most common types of woods used to make shillelagh fighting sticks. Fighting with sticks goes back to the earliest origins of mankind when man with a combination of large brain, dextrous hands and strong sense of survival augmented his relatively weak body by using his natural environment to supply a weapon, then by adaptation, through trial and error. Shillelaghs or irish walking sticks were originally used as weapons for hundreds or even thousands of years. A shillelagh is handed down from one member of an irish family to another, from the time of the great potato famine to present day, with each member telling the story of the st. To get around the law, the irish turned the shillelagh into a walking stick. A handy 24 12 size that could be carried in a belt till needed. It was used to aid walking on unpaved roads or in the open country. Finished in oil rather than hard varnish these sticks can take a beating as well as dish one out.
A shillelagh pronounced shilaylee is sometimes a walking stick, but it is always also a club. Antique irish shillelagh, wood fighting stick club. It is an outgrowth of the old irish sheleghleigh sp. Free sheet music, vintage sheet music, books, sticks, fancy, livros, book. These are made for stickfighting or personal protection and are not usually comfortable to use as walking sticks. What it is is a compelling history of the use of the shillelagh in 18th and 19th century irish faction fighting.
Olde shillelagh stick maker 2020 all you need to know. Having an irish heritage, i remember seeing odd knobbyended walking sticks in the corners of many houses as a kid. The irish fighting stick, analyzes the information from all of these and many other sources, and instructs the reader in the history of irish stickfighting and the basics of the three main styles of classic shillelagh fighting. History of the irish shillelagh irish walking stick, ireland, irish. Experience the ancient craft of shillelagh stick making in the ancestral home of this renowned irish icon. A lighter stick will be ideal for a brisk stroll great for controlling a dog and pushing away wild brambles. Learn more about olde shillelagh stickmakers and what makes us unique.
It was actually an english writer who coined the term shillelagh. At present, the quintessential shillelagh is a knobbed walking stick of approximately three feet in length and made from the wood of a blackthorn shrub. Irish shillelagh walking stick as a secret weapon youtube. Visit us online and shop our collection of irish blackthorn walking sticks. Shillelagh obviously a carefully produced and well presented work on a refreshingly different and original topic of irish history. A shillelagh is a wooden walking stick and club or cudgel, typically made from a stout knotty blackthorn stick with a large knob at the top. Shillelagh history explained, origins of ancient fight stick.
See more ideas about irish walking stick, walking sticks and blackthorn walking stick. Curiously, it was from the pen of an english writer who, on seeing an oak cane and knowing where it came from, coined the term shillelagh. For centuries the irish have been associated with a stick weapon called the shillelagh. Other spelling variants include shillelah, shillalah, and shillaly. Blackthorn walking sticks irelands largest authentic shillelagh and blackthorn walking stick maker, open for business during global pandemic, using dhl to ship worldwide from my home workshop. Therefore we split them into categories for ease of purchase and browsing. A shillelagh also known as an irish walking stick, is a knotty blackthorn cane with a large, round, and polished knob at the top. Histories, definitions and perceptions of paintings of everyday life from early nineteenth. Very good well worn and gnarled,the metal tip is missing. The genuine handmade irish shillelagh hammacher schlemmer. Although i have only read the introduction, it seems to promise an illuminating and entertaining education in matters celtic and i should think it would make a highly original gift for lots of types of people grandads, grandsons, martial arts enthusiasts.
Shillelagh blackthorn walking stick world cultures european. Mccaffrey irish store blackthorn walking sticks, shillelaghs. Todays version of the irish shillelagh is a walking stick or cane but, to the ancient irish, the shillelagh was their weapon of choice. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Irish blackthorn walking sticks blackthorn canes for sale. Classy walking canes cwc5769500 blackthorn knobstick reddish brown, 37, natural wood. Keith pickering maker of hand carved walking sticks in wood. These are shorter sticks for people roughly between 5 5 8. Typically made from a stout knotty stick with a large knob at the top, that is associated with ireland and irish folklore. Stay tuned for updates of the bibliography and links. The english when they took over ireland were having issues being beaned by them, so they banned them.
It has deep rooted associations with ireland, the fighting irish, and irish folklore. Irish stickfighting was not only an ancient martial tradition. The book remains an essential guide for those interested in learning the processes and techniques. 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. Shillelaghs have a history in ireland going back hundreds of years. Now if we can get a few factual and accurate this day in history tv spots. From elegant walking sticks and mighty clubs down to gift pieces and good luck charms, there is something for everyone. Blackthorn walking stick hazel shaft and authentic blackthorn handle genuine irish shillelagh cane copper ferule base made in ireland 4.
Vintage love stick, sharp objects, irish dance, trauma, walking sticks, baseball. Driving to shillelagh to buy a shillelagh gads ramblings. In his book, a social history of ancient ireland, historian p. The following is an offering for a wonderful classic irish gnarled carved blackthorn wood walking stickshillelagh. The history of walking canes self defence with a stick. The reliable stick is a solid aid for travelling the inhospitable hills and valleys of ireland and scotland. The shillelagh is associated with ireland and irish folklore. The shillelagh was originally used for settling disputes in a gentlemanly manner like a duel with pistols or swords. At the last minute and on a whim i diverted to the tiny village of shillelagh as i knew the only maker of. New listing 38 crooked shillelagh celtic walking cane stick. What is the history of the irish blackthorn staff aka the.
Bataireacht is a category of stickfighting martial arts of ireland bata is the irish term for any kind of stick. Here is an antique irish shillelagh, a wooden club, typically made from a stout knotty stick. A history of shillelagh law and hobnailed boot stomping fightland irish stickfighting was not only an ancient martial tradition. 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.
What i have mistakenly called a shillelagh all these years was once a very popular weapon in 19th. These sticks were commonly called shillelaghs in my experience, though ive since learned that shillelagh is a town and the walking sticks are properly called shillelagh sticks. Blackthorn lore and the art of making walking sticks. A shillelagh pronounced shilaylee is sometimes a walking stick, but it is always. A shillelagh is a wooden walking stick and club or cudgel, typically a thick knotty stick with a large knob at the top. In his wonderful book on irish folklore, padraic colum quotes john banim in this.
Sometimes faction fighting was sport, in which case the shillelagh was the only weapon used. Patricks day shillelagh to the person whos inheriting the walking stick. How shillelagh fighting evolved into a irish martial art. Souvnear 38 walking stick in steel solid metal canes with detachable brass knob handle handmade in golden finish unique gentleman decorative walking sticks and. The gaelic bata, or fighting stick, would have been made from oak, blackthorn, ash or holly. In the british army, blackthorn sticks are carried by commissioned officers of the royal irish regiment. Made from the extremely durable irish blackthorn wood, these sticks make a truly wonderful walking companion. Sometimes, the knob on the end was hollowed out and filled with molten lead. There is nothing quite like the feel unique well balanced walking stick. Irish shillelaghs and walking sticks littleshamrocks. Read more about irish stickfighting, faction fights in ireland, and shillelagh martial arts. Irish walking stick genuine blackthorn made in ireland.
They are an impressive weapon that can be used for sparring or selfdefence. Great savings free delivery collection on many items. History of the shillelagh the word shillelagh comes from the irish phrase sail eille which translates into english as thonged willowstick. Browse through our collection of genuine, locally grown blackthorn shillelagh sticks. Whereas a heavier stick can be a serious means of selfprotection.
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