Weapons similar to shillelagh are described in various sources including heroic tales such as the destruction of da dergas hostel. Buy blackthorn lore and the art of making walking sticks by john murchie douglas isbn. A shillelagh is a wooden walking stick and club or cudgel, typically made from a stout knotty blackthorn. How shillelagh fighting evolved into a irish martial art. Great savings free delivery collection on many items. History of ireland house of lor kieran cunningham liwu jewellery. Biddy murphy irish shillelagh authentic blackthorn decorative 1418 made in ireland. It was used to aid walking on unpaved roads or in the open country. Nov 14, 2014 these sticks were used in various ways irish stickfighting styles were more methods of combat than strictly stylized and adhered to martial arts but certain patterns of common styles did exist. Sticks are 3637 inches approximately in length from the base to the tip of the.
Shillelaghs have a history in ireland going back hundreds of years. There are two types of head are available rounded and. Wood carving walking sticks, harvesting backyard tree. Brazos walking cane for men and women handcrafted of lightweight wood and made in the usa, knob root, 37 inches.
It has been increasingly difficult to find authentic irish blackthorn walking sticks. Canes and walking sticks lovetoknow fashion history. As the leaves change color and begin to drop the branches and trunks of the available saplings become more visible. From the legend of the claddagh ring to drowning the shamrock on st. To get around the law, the irish turned the shillelagh into a 3foot walking stick. Rootknob sticks are extremely unique depending on the size and shape of the original branch and the angle of attachment where the shaft grows. The english didnt want to appear unreasonable by outlawing walking sticks too, so the irish kept their modified shillelaghs and the world gained a beautiful and functional walking stick known simply as the blackthorn. See more ideas about spirit sticks, american indians, stick. As with most vernacular martial arts, it is difficult to establish the origin of the art. These irish canes are longer than a shillelagh and a prized blackthorn cane. A history of walking sticks the humble walking stick has been a staple of mankind used as a walking aid a fashion accessory and even a weapon. The gaelic bata, or fighting stick, would have been made from oak, blackthorn, ash or holly. The blackthorn walking sticks have been made using the traditional method that has been passed down through the generations.
Irish walking stick genuine blackthorn made in ireland. A nice hefty stick was an excellent way to protect against thieves and to keep animals in line. For some irish regiments there often use them, it appears, sometimes as fulllength walking sticks, or as swagger sticks, a neat thing for, say, church parades. Eventually, it became synonymous for any irish walking stick.
Irish walking sticks are made in ireland from the hard and strong wood of the blackthorn tree. Irish shillelaghs and walking sticks littleshamrocks. Vintage love stick, sharp objects, irish dance, trauma, walking sticks, baseball love sticksharp. Discover the latest additions to the blarney store. Welcome to the collector here you can see the many walking sticks that i have collected over the years. See more ideas about irish walking stick, walking sticks and walking.
Wood carving walking sticks, harvesting backyard tree species. When one thinks of walking sticks in todays society, our first thoughts turn to canes and the infirm. Some evidence suggests that there may have been many types of basic stick fighting games or training activities used by the irish. Irish blackthorn walking stick irish blackthorn walking. We present brands such as coopers of england, classic canes, and switch sticks. The genuine handmade irish shillelagh hammacher schlemmer. Shillelagh blackthorn walking stick world cultures european.
Mccaffrey irish store blackthorn walking sticks, shillelaghs. Its here you will find genuine blackthorn walking sticks and shillelaghs, tin whistles, bewleys coffee and tea, hanna hats from donegal, bodhrans, gifts made from connemara marble, irish coffee glasses, shamrock seeds and more. A great walking stick you dont have to be concerned with getting dirty. And while its difficult to trace its exact origins, key moments in history show how our love and appreciation for the walking stick has developed. These sticks were used in various ways irish stickfighting styles were more methods of combat than strictly stylized and adhered to martial arts but certain patterns of common styles did exist. Walking stick irish maker attributed to michael casey, c. Gerald of wales says of the irish that they carry axes borrowed from norwegians and ostmen as others carry walking sticks and that they grab these axes onehanded one would guess around the middle to avoid making such a forward weighted weapon as.
Blackthorn is a very hard durable wood grown wild along hedgerows in ireland. Blackthorn lore and the art of making walking sticks. A walking stick or walking cane is a device used primarily to aid walking, provide postural stability or support, or assist in maintaining a good posture, but some designs also serve as a fashion accessory, or are used for selfdefense. Made from the extremely durable irish blackthorn wood, these sticks make a truly wonderful walking companion. There is nothing quite like the feel unique well balanced walking stick.
Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Glass walking sticks first appeared in the latenineteenth and earlytwentieth centuries and were produced by glassmakers using left over materials at the end of their workday. Techniques and exercises for beginners, and more on. More than 500 body art designs, and pyrography basics. To get around the law, the irish turned the shillelagh into a walking stick. Kay walkingsticks american history the new york times. What is the history of the irish blackthorn staff aka the. In his wonderful book on irish folklore, padraic colum quotes john banim in this. Irish walking sticks irish gifts the irish gift house. Shillelagh blackthorn walking stick irish culture and irish. Blackthorn walking canes, knobsticks, shillelaghs and staffs. It wouldnt be any use to stick making more a history book.
Walking sticks come in many shapes and sizes, and can be sought by collectors. The irish have used various sticks and cudgels as weapons of selfdefence for centuries. Excerpts on fashion and fashion accessories 17051915, volume vi. Walking sticks come in many shapes and sizes and some have become collectors items. Shalinindia 36 dog head walking stick inspired by irish walking stick designs handcrafted canes and walking sticks 4. Gerald of wales says of the irish that they carry axes borrowed from norwegians and ostmen as others carry walking sticks and that they grab these axes onehanded one would guess around the middle to avoid making such a forward weighted weapon as long as a walking stick totally unwieldy. Known commonly as blackthorns or blackthorn walking sticks or even shillelaghs, the finish for these fine specimens is left organic and very often unfinished save for a slight. Over time, the walking stick gradually began to be known as a symbol for power and strength, and eventually authority and social prestige. In his book, a social history of ancient ireland, historian p. 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.
By the 19th century shillelagh fighting evolved into a martial art with three types of weapons. Projects for wood carving and pyrography by l s irish. The history of walking canes canes were, for a period of at least three centuries, as crucial a part of the male wardrobe as a pair of trousers is now. Over the centuries it has been used for many purposes, from weaponry to clothing accessory. An antique glass walking stick is a type of decorative walking stick. Todays version of the irish shillelagh is a walking stick or cane but, to the ancient irish, the shillelagh was their weapon of choice. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can. Hurley shares his book on the history of shillelagh, the irish. Sometimes, the knob on the end was hollowed out and filled with molten lead. A collection of walking canes from the uk, ireland and great britain. Whereas a heavier stick can be a serious means of selfprotection. A walking stick is a device used by many people to facilitate balancing while walking. The sticks that so many stores carry are seldom real, and as such are thin, light, too straight, and unsubstantial. Stouter than a typical wooden walking stick, but if ever needed as a selfdefense weapon, this one wont snap like many of its wooden counterparts.
Tom kavanagh is a native of clonsast, co offaly, ireland, and it is from the natural environment of the irish midlands that he draws his inspiration and collects the materials for his remarkable walking sticks while visiting a game fair in england in 2002 tom. 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. See more ideas about blackthorn walking stick, irish walking stick, walking sticks. A lighter stick will be ideal for a brisk stroll great for controlling a dog and pushing away wild brambles.
Page 1 of 1 9 products per page 12 products per page 18 products per page 24 products per page 30 products per page 42 products per page all products per page. Ireland walking tours hillwalk tours selfguided hiking tours. African walking stick by cold steel atlanta cutlery. It was actually an english writer who coined the term shillelagh. Autumn is the traditional time of the year to harvest tree saplings, branches, and twisty sticks for cane and walking stick carving. For those looking for authentic albeit highly limited irish blackthorn walking sticks, this is an ideal source.
Lora irish takes an indepth look at common tree species that can be used in wood carving walking sticks and canes. The landscape of ireland is one of the most beautiful in the world, so its only fitting that its walking sticks are just as breathtaking as the land they come from. The irish walking stick is crafted from stout blackthorn wood and no two are identical. An american artist, at the national museum of the american indian in washington, is an overdue career survey of a near halfcentury of work by an artist, now 81, for whom. Indeed, men were likely to have several canes, to be used on different occasions at the office, going out in the evening and at the weekends. Nov 19, 2014 an irish shillelagh maker from the 1940s. A hiking tour where we tell you all about irish history and folklore and where to find the tastiest food and the best pint of guinness. Blackthorn wood is a type of oak tree and the popular canes made from their wood are known as the traditional irish country walking stick and is highly sought after. Whats the exciting history behind these beautiful canes.
Irish stickfighting was not only an ancient martial tradition. A good overview of the accessory and its many uses. Buy blackthorn walking sticks and get the best deals at the lowest prices on ebay. And to make sure you pick the perfect hiking trip in ireland, we have hiked all around the country, seeking out the most beautiful trails for you. Irish traditional blackthorn walking stick hand crafted from the blackthorn bushes in counties cork and kerry. An irish walking stick is traditionally called a shillelagh. Patricks day irish culture and customs is a collection of articles and stories that covers a wide variety of topics drawn from irelands rich history and heritage. Harrison walking stick w brass russian hussar top silver hallmarked 1912.
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