They undergo a different seasoning process than our other sticks, necessary to produce a balanced, fast, and accurate weapon. It is typically made from a stout knobbly 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 described as a cudgel. By the 19th century Irish shillelagh-fighting had evolved into a practice which involved the use of three basic types of weapons, sticks which were long, medium or short in length. Our fighting sticks are styled on the sticks actually used in martial arts stick fighting. Shillelaghs are usually made from Blackthorn wood with a leather wrist strap joined to the handle. There is some evidence which suggests that the use of Irish stick weapons may have evolved in a progression from a reliance on long spears and wattles, to shorter spears and wattles, to the shillelagh, alpeen, blackthorn (walking-stick) and short cudgel. Hurley writes: "Methods of shillelagh fighting have evolved over a period of thousands of years, from the spear, staff, axe and sword fighting of the Irish. Natural Blackthorn Wood Shillelagh with polished natural bark and genuine leather strap.
Modern practitioners of bataireacht study the use of the shillelagh for self-defense and as a martial art. Shillelaghs may be hollowed at the heavy "hitting" end and filled with molten lead to increase the weight beyond the typical two pounds this sort of shillelagh is known as a 'loaded stick' The shillelagh was originally used for settling disputes in a gentlemanly manner-like pistols in colonial America, or the rapier in mainland Europe. With a handsome bark-like wood texture and raised clipped thorns on the shaft, and a highly polished faux-wood head, this good-looking stick will be sure. Blackthorn Shillelagh Natural Wood Walking Stick Natural Irish blackthorn wood shillelagh, with polished natural bark, genuine leather strap at the end. Gastrock Stocke Irish Carved Wood Shillelagh with Knot Grip - 37' 65.00. The wood would be smeared with butter or lard, and placed up a chimney to cure, giving the shillelagh its typical black shiny appearance. Hand carved Wood Shillelagh Type 36' Walking Stick. Wood from the root was prized as it was less prone to cracking during use. The Dagda - A shillelagh or blackthorn stick is a wooden walking stick and club or cudgel, typically made from a stout knotty stick with a large knob at the top, that is associated with Ireland and Irish folklore.