Bataireacht, the ancient art of Irish Stick Fighting

[@joegrande4848]

My great grandmother dealt with that racism here in the states. Every place she went signs on the door saying Irish need not apply. She ended finding house keeping jobs doing laundry cleaning house an washing floors. Her husband died an raised 9 kids by herself washing clothes by hand. Washing floors on her hands an knees washing toilets tubs an furniture an whatever else was needed. She would ask people who had money if they needed a house keeper cleaning their houses an doing laundry. They tried having my grandmother they loved the job she did an how respectable an hard working an good natured she was so they kept her to clean her house. She'd clean a few people's houses every day to make a living along with having to clean her own house as well.

[@gozer87]

So glad the algorithm brought this video to my feed.

[@Priestbokmei1]

“Making them incapable of continuing their attack…”. Thank you for this excellent video, sir!

[@finbarrdolan]

Interesting video. As an Irish speaker, it grinds my gears ⚙️ when I hear miss pronunciation.. Your cipín is pronounced kip-eeeen. When you see the accent on the i, it elongates it to eee. cipín solais is the Irish for a matchstick. The camán, or Hurley stick, similarly, is pronounced cam-aaaaaawn, because the second a has an accent on it, á. The accent is called a “fada “ which in English means “long “. Getting the pronunciation correct raises your respect exponentially in the Irish community. Found your chat so interesting, I bought both of john W Hurley’s books on the subject 👍👍

[@stevehigginsatrogers]

Thanks! How I wish I had the language.

[@ryanbuckley3314]

I was fortunate to know my Great Grandmother, who came from the old country to Canada between the ages of 16 and 19 (she didn't remember exactly when she came to Canada, but we know she was born between 1906 and 1908). Her husband worked north of Algonquin park, after the Ottawa Valley stopped producing much timber. When my Nan died in 2003, she had two shelaleighs by her door. One was symbolic, a short one that looked like a mallet. The other was a cane, which four generations of us have used. I used it after an injury, and I will use it when I am an old man. It's a typical black thorn with burl for a handle and has all of the thorn studs down its length. Our family has hit a dead end, but I will be proud to be the last Neill to walk with this stick.

[@donloughrey1615]

Good Lord, what an education I just received ! I am going to explore this further, as much for fitness as self defense. Also for my family heritage, my Dad's family came over to the U.S. during the famine. Thank you.

[@patrickodonnell4109]

Excellent presentation. Thank you.

[@andrewsilverstein6186]

Wonderful presentation...great information

[@ricks1502]

Just came across your video when doing stick fighting searches. Currently studying martial arts as taught predominately from a Tai Chi centered dojo where they teach and bring together other arts, such as Hapkido, Kung Fu and Kali. I liked your Tai Chi 'commencement' reference as we do a mixed Kali stick fighting with Tai Chi into which I am blending some Bataireacht as taught by The Doyles. Thank you for the simple techniques you've introduced.

[@corcaighogormghus4618]

Very interesting Great video

[@johndowney8007]

Wonderful video

[@macisaac-crusoe-books9711]

Steve, I really enjoyed your video. As a martial artist of 45 years, I am always mindful to take what someone is showing for what it is and to not fall to the temptation of comparing it to something I have learned in the past, thereby missing what the person teaching is showing in the present. I can tell folks that are watching this that what you demonstrated adheres to sound principle and I really enjoyed watching the Irish approach that you taught. I enjoyed the proper connection that you made from empty handed to armed. Lastly I was very impressed by your speed, agility and with your root and stability that you have maintained at your age you ol`rascal you. I would love to see you come out with an ongoing series that build on the basics you taught here. All the Best, Patrick

[@huxleykendrick914]

i realize Im kinda off topic but do anybody know of a good site to stream new series online ?

[@madduxbrendan901]

@Huxley Kendrick I watch on flixzone. Just google for it :)

[@ahmadkasen9515]

@Maddux Brendan yea, I have been using Flixzone for since april myself :D

[@huxleykendrick914]

@Maddux Brendan thanks, I signed up and it seems like a nice service :D Appreciate it!

[@madduxbrendan901]

@Huxley Kendrick you are welcome :D

[@deirdrenally4590]

Wonderful video Steve. You are a wealth of information! Thank you so much for sharing. Take care, Deirdre

[@stevehigginsatrogers]

Thanks, Deirdre!

[@hectorafc3398]

Great vid I learnt a lot Iv watched a few vids from diff so called martial artists normally American vids but yours is the best easy to understand well explained keep up the good work can't wait for your next vid Hector England

[@popscoulter7587]

Interesting and informative. Good video!

[@etmon5]

Brilliant piece of qualitative historical research. Nice work :-)

[@danielholman7225]

Steve, really enjoyed your presentation. That was a good history lesson and I enjoyed your pictures. I could tell from your accent that you were Canadian. I’am one of your neighbors from the States. Back, years ago, I did a tour of Canada for a couple of weeks. Really enjoyed meeting all the people I met along the way. My mom’s family are all Irish here in the states. Anyway, I’m looking for a way to defend myself from the epidemic of druggies who are doing a lot of the stealing and robbing State side. It’s getting rough here.

[@williammcclurd7448]

Thank you for this information

[@colmwatulikededazio973]

What a great find . Magic . Fab show guys .I learned a lot.

[@tonynapoli5549]

Just subscribed what an interesting video very tutorial thank you 👌

[@jamesmcmanus8567]

Dear Steve thank you for this inspiring and informative video. I just found this now and all the comments are from a year ago so I wonder if you have more videos on this topic.

[@stuartkelly4812]

You won a new subscriber. When you were checking the stick length to the ceiling reminded me of when my dad got angry at marks I made on the ceiling and threw some sticks into the fireplace. Not the one I used to make them luckily 🙂 We didn't know what we were doing but my friends were energetic. Also I've often wondered if Fairbairn's WW2 stick techniques had any Irish influences. The 2 handed style looks very similar to some Irish techniques I've seen on this video and elsewhere. Great video thank you.

[@leemcgann6470]

Another thing adopt the nice pointy bits along the cane shaft... those are like teeth or impact points

[@warrior_mtl4895]

thank you.

[@Pierre50mm]

All around the world for centuries, there is somewhere an art of using a cane or a walking stick as self-defense .

[@eugenevictortooms4174]

This was a great video & I learned a lot of things in never knew. Thanks for taking the time to make such an informative video.

[@l2a3sterling]

50.30 I think its called a drop step. Dempsey was a right handed boxer (left foot forward) the drop step he used to advance his right to the front (while angling towards the opponents left flank,) Really enjoy this video - lots of info

[@leemcgann6470]

I carry my cane everywhere now! I don’t need it for stability. I have it for defense!

[@Pierre50mm]

I carry my bo (bo justsu) as a walking stick (6'3" long) almost everywhere I go. I might be easily spotted.

[@leemcgann6470]

@@Pierre50mm that’s the beauty of a cane. Not to mention you can carry a cane on a plane. They may have you put your bo in baggage

[@kirkcavenaugh758]

Good vid

[@leemcgann6470]

Righto! If trouble comes... chase it away! Attack! Charge!

[@powerplay4real174]

The Falling Step is a well known move of Jack Dempsey. His power move. 😊

[@marcuslambert2162]

cant blame the Romans for fearing them ,personally im a lil afraid of any man wanting to fight naked willingly. very informative & interesting thanks for the teaching .

[@Christopherogley]

I found one at a charity shop...sre they of value..its probably 200 years old maybe..the patina on the bole end is ancient...its got that bend to it. Its blackthorn with a bole on the end

[@conorfields2660]

Great talk, lots of information and well spoken We were told it was 'the troubles' , it was actually the unionist war on the Catholic ghettos

[@saravanar7140]

Dear Steve, thank you for the wonderful presentation. I'm still a student for the past 5 years, I teach south Indian stick fighting methods (in West its called as bo staff) passed on to me. We also use small stick similar to your walking stick, but we use two sticks.... as well as various weapons such as deer horn , knife n shield , flexible long knife.. known as Surul kathi in Tamil. But all these years I was told that it was traditional martial arts which was originated in south India. I need your help to get more information like the dates along with the pictures you shared.. will you please help me more for my learning purpose.. let me know how to get in touch with you. Thanks again.. cheers.

[@stevehigginsatrogers]

I'm not an authority. Two people who have done the research are John Hurley, author of several books on shillelagh, and Maxime Chouinard who is a teacher of Antrim Bata. You can research them on Google.

[@charliebowen5071]

Where can I go to investigate this more.. I make war clubs and am interested in the caman... any sources for pictures or websites on the originals?

[@irishreallifefestival6954]

Email us at [e-mail] and we'll help you out!

[@stevehigginsatrogers]

Glen Doyle is no longer teaching publicly which is a pity. Another style is the Antrim stick which is taught by Max Chouinard who seems focused on stick against stick.. He has some vids. on KZbin. John Hurley has written some books on shillelagh. At the moment I'm afraid that there is very little authentic bataireacht out there.

[@harvestblades]

Who is the gentleman giving this presentation? Some really great info!

[@leemcgann6470]

Absolutely! The cane is for HARD targets! It is made for hitting bone. Wrist, head, knees...

[@simontimoney]

Its blackthorn...not cane

[@conmcgrath7502]

Oh mate, I don't know where to start? (no, those are not tears in my eyes, honest)? The little thing I might reference is that 'caman' is prououncnced more like 'camaan', it's got an extra 'a' or two as it's spoken. I just love the attitude, when bad shit happens, you can meet it or run like 'f ...' , I was never a great sprinter. Very interesting to see the specific length of 'an bata' discussed; I was given my grandad's stick when I was 16, too stupid to realise the honour (though I was a hell of a good shot?) and (from the ground, standing) it came just past my wrist, perfect, if it fits. As far as I know, the stick goes past your hand (dropped) and it's 2/3 inches beyond, is exact. My hand from afar sir, I don't know if this seems meaningful? but I have.to add 'sound' and a big manly hug too! Pax vobiscum.

[@seanmckinney3221]

Steve, great stuff! I'm new here but here goes, you need to speak out when you back out in the distance, we can't hear you.

[@kevingray4980]

Great video. I was curious if you have a link to that video with Dempsey training with a stick? I've read his book Championship fighting. Ironically, one of the best resources for Wing Chun practitioners even though he didn't practice the style.

[@stevehigginsatrogers]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKSqn2d5f6l2gas Love that book!

[@RyanAggabao]

The historical perspective presented here is invaluable. Thank you! I hope your presentation finds its way into the local Irish Festivals here in the United States.

[@jaimetoquia3059]

i wander who gonna win, cold lake canada vs irish.

[@captainchaos3053]

I can confirm that the Romans are still fearful of a good big celtic knob!

[@mattbrown7508]

That statue reminds me of the Dagda.

[@l2a3sterling]

INTERESTING

[@christophermuran9487]

Btw where did you get hold of the best yet wearing?

[@stevehigginsatrogers]

It's a Donegal tweed I picked up in Niagara on the Lake. These days your best bet is Google.

[@hfubvgjbcg-cs9wm]

He wants to stay away from the mozzarella sticks 😂

[@waynemcauliffe-fv5yf]

You look like James Cagney mate

[@eileencregg6754]

Guess you answered that for me.

[@DrMARDOC]

The genocide committed by the English against the Irish, on many levels, is a horrible tragedy made worse by history ignoring this and sweeping it under the carpet

[@killickoffroadarts]

They used to teach all about it in English schools but sadly it got dropped in the 1990's. Today everything thing seem to get a white wash over but that's the same in most counties.

[@Rid3thetig3r]

You know who else had something bad happen to them, at some point in history? EVERYBODY! Get over yourself, you weren't there.

[@Waldo33881]

Paul Mc Cartney wrote a song "Give Ireland Back to the Irish". Sixty five countries in this world have declared their independence from England ( including the USA), Yet their dominance continues in the six counties of Northern Ireland.

[@dylanduke9963]

You say Camán like "com-on"

[@joegrande4848]

Sorry spelt it wrong it's cudgels

[@christophermuran9487]

The hurling stick is pronounced "Comawn".

[@gallowglass2630]

Nearly sure Mary McAleese was from Belfast not derry.THe population of ireland is now around 7.1 million ,the population you quoted is just the republic of ireland,which did not exist at the time of the famine therefore 8million was the population of the whole island.

[@ericswatzell5091]

Famine? Or Trevelyan genocide?

[@jjoo6229]

The true name Eire, has a long history of fighting women.

[@davidhumphrey2316]

U said the great famine was between 1942 to 53 ? It was 1842 to 50 . please get your facts right!

[@sticksnstones5407]

it was from 1845 to 1849 get your facts right

[@stevepauley2437]

He misspoke, he said “1947 to about 1851 or 52”. Learn to listen!

[@joegrande4848]

The fighting sticks the irish call them caugells

[@gb3007]

Cudgel? I'm sure that's an English word,.

[@tyroneashford1195]

The Irish Saints took a good stick. And literally 'beat the hell' out of the heathens. In order to convert them! Out of love of course. 🤣😅 p.s. beautiful stuff! -MIN. O'BIAH.

[@marcoeire44]

Jesus said, "if you don't own a sword, sell your cloak and buy one."

[@tyroneashford1195]

@@marcoeire44 True That! Marco Eire. The Messiah sure did say that! -MIN. OBI. p.s. I think this stick- fighting-self defense. Is kool some stuff.😎

[@dylanduke9963]

The celts didn't really fight naked. Its highly unlikely

[@marcoeire44]

According to Roman accounts they did. I don't know of any evidence of it in Ireland tho

[@dylanduke9963]

@@marcoeire44 yeah according to Romans writing from a roman civilised perspective. There's often a portrayal of other peoples like that

[@marcoeire44]

@@dylanduke9963 true but its the only written accounts we have nowadays

[@dylanduke9963]

@@marcoeire44 I know that, I studied ancient history and archaeology in trinity. But there's no evidence whatsoever that celts fought naked save for roman propaganda and we have evidence of the contrary in material culture

[@burgamushun]

@@dylanduke9963 Have you actually read the accounts by Polybius & Siculus? Unlike other accounts that defame enemies as homosexual or particularly gruesome in their rituals the naked Cisapline Gauls were noted among those that normally wore trousers and cloaks. Not to mention these men were Greeks. I also do not think naked warriors would be seen as defamation since many heroes were depicted in the nude.

[@rollinrobie3113]

Man, thank you for the art and all it's depth, and more for your personal style .