![]() Even though it caused death, the practice of faction fighting was considered good fun and in fact, people brought to justice for killing people in faction fights were often exonerated. Two or more groups assembled to fight using mostly rocks and sticks, very often resulting in the death of many participants. The Factions fought for pride, land, territory or sometimes, just for fun. In fact there is strong evidence of Faction Fighting and use of the Shillelagh not just in Ireland but in Liverpool, U.K, New Orleans & New York going as far back as 1825.Ī Faction Fight was usually based around families or “Clans” and took place on the fare days or on Sunday after mass. First recorded in Co.Tipperary it is said to have spread like wildfire throughout the country. The origins of the use of the stick is hard to determine as they weren’t properly recorded until the 17th & 18th centuries, though it is thought to be much older, there is strong evidence that the shillelagh was a weapon from an ancient form of Irish martial art, Bataireacht is a category of stick-fighting martial arts of Ireland which over the past few years has seen a revival after becoming an almost extinct practice.įaction Fighting was the name given to phenomenon that broke out in Ireland during the 17th century in which large groups of men fought pitched battles using Blackthorn sticks such as the Shillelagh. Traditionally, the shillelagh or blackthorn sticks with thorns left on the stick were smeared with whiskey butter and smoked over fire (in the fireplace) – thus giving them their dark, hard, glossy surface. It was made by taking either the branch of a tree or an entire juvenile tree including the root knob and cutting it up to approximately three foot in length with the root left in a ball on top, some fighters would carve an opening in it and fill it with molten lead to give it a bit more weight. The Shillelagh was traditionally made from blackthorn wood which was available easily and in large quantities, it was a tree species of high hardness and stiffness – it grew on the side of the road. The Shillelagh was used as a walking stick and or a weapon. Please note that due to the natural sourcing and manufacturing process the length of this stick may vary slightly from product to product.The Shillelagh (pronounced shi – lay – la) is the name for a traditional Irish stick or stick of blackthorn wood, its usually sold to tourists and is a symbol of Irishness, it is on the logo of sports clubs, political office and other places around the world however, it has a long and somewhat sinister past. It is esteemed for its rich colour and the characterful appearance, caused by its spiny thorns. Blackthorn Woodīlackthorn is the traditional wood of Ireland and one of the most sought-after woods for making walking sticks. ![]() This short, thick wooden stick with a large coppice knob end is fitted with a leather loop, so it can be hung on a hook or around the wrist. Often regarded as a symbol of Irishness, the Shillelagh is traditionally kept behind the bar in Irish pubs. The Shillelagh, also known as blackthorn stick, is a traditional Irish fighting weapon. This distinctive short stick is a traditional Irish fighting weapon, strongly associated with the country's history and folklore, and a must-have item for any serious walking stick collector. Whether you are a collector, or searching for the perfect gift for one, the Blackthorn Irish Shillelagh is bound to impress you.
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