How to Fight With the Irish Shillelagh

Missed St Patrick's by one day. Damn.

[@diogeneslantern18]

Whilst you were out having fun I was studying th way of the shillelagh

[@barrettfenwick8028]

As a Canadian Forces veteran? The Shillelagh adapts to bayonet fighting beautifully! Control distance with jabs and flicks. if needed? Disarm with snap attacks to the wrists. Look for a chance to club! Try it with your training some time! It will come very naturally! :)

[@TonyM540]

And of course the best form of self defence is…don’t be there.

[@Toporshik]

Extra d4 in piercing damage xdd

[@No1ANTAGON1ST]

Reminiscent of 2007 content tosh would play on his show

[@alexblue6991]

As I live in Scotland a walking stick is about the only self defence thing that you can carry my grandfather had one of those sticks I have some without the thorns

[@chrislxxix3626]

The only problem with (real) Irish Shillelagh is that 1) They cost (but it's understandable) and 2) The artisan needs time for custom do that (again, it's understandable) so I'm glad that Cold Steel and United Cutlery made polypropilene "Shillelagh/s". I know aren't like the real ones but it's ok :-)

[@lynxarmizare52]

Agreed. I had a cold steel one, until it broke during a demonstration of power generation.

[@TheGreatest1974]

The cold steel ones look right smart and they’ll certainly defend you. They aren’t wood, but they are hard as F and will not break on you. They seem very dependable.

[@stegmonjurvinweirdt1834]

It does not have to be made from blackthorn. It is preferable for it to made from a single piece, as appossed to a classic derby cane.

[@Cornholers]

Can be made from oak depends on what you want 😊

[@Occident.]

Just bought a Shillelagh from Ireland. This video has been useful. Thanks you an greatings from Tyneside England.

[@allanpaolomartinezorellana2390]

I jus finished my first shillelagh, it's beautiful

[@TheGreatest1974]

Lets see it then? Do a short video? I’ve been out cutting 30 blackthorn sticks but of course I have to season them for three years before I can start forming handles etc. Would like to see yours?👍

[@mamalaiwahspiritualconsult5623]

The fact that you're doing all of that in a leather jacket is impressive.

[@steventhorson4487]

Excellent video 📹!!

[@richardbarrett4104]

Great video, well done. What is the length and weight of YOUR stick please?

[@thechillhacker]

I love how your technique is basically the "irish bat'leh" technique, which I appreciate. The beauty being where every defensive posture is also potentially an offensive strike, and visa-versa. Of course this is true of most effective stick-type weapons. Much easier walking around with a shillelagh than a Bat'leh in public though haha, and way more useful when not employed defensively, as a 6'4" irishman with bad knees.

[@CZOV]

I have no problem seeing 80 yrs old irish hopping around with the stick like 13 yrs old foil fencer.

[@bartangel4867]

I like the side step kind of like using a saber. But the " jab" is good if both people are in same stance you also need same thing when you are in opposite stands and you are or trying to get to your lead leg being outside of his. and you you will be in such stances if you are fighting single or multiple opponents but without weapons also some people will use their left foot forward even if they do have a weapon and they are right handed. and the hit that you don't like with the left hand would probably be very effective if you were in opposite stands as an opponent and the opponent would be using his rear hand and you (very important) have your lead leg outside of his lead leg. if you are on the inside then that is where you would use the quick hit that you described. what I think would make sense is if you delivered a quick hit and then turned your weapon in this side step you showed and then finish with a heavy strike. (perhaps to the leg with hi preoccupied with protecting his face) but you still need a quick "jab" if you are on the outside to add to your first "jab" and I wish it was shown

[@richtyler8034]

I notice you don’t use the weighted end for any stricks

[@ericbrooks2871]

Yeah, I would think you would use the cudgel end predominantly because it would do more damage and be more durable.

[@juanmonge7418]

First lesson : Get really drunk!

[@dandythevandal]

You kept raising your elbows

[@kathrynmannyng3885]

At 7:17 you could use the feral end on the way back up to shield and elbow strike using the knob, then open the are for a second fast strike with the center of the stick.

[@baycassidy51]

Couldn't I just do the same thing with a Zucchini? You're funny!

[@Outrider74]

Very interesting! I would be interested in knowing the lineage of this particular Irish stick system.

[@lynxarmizare52]

I believe it's based on the Doyle family system.

[@cluaintarbh531]

None.

[@jamer199]

@@cluaintarbh531was practiced in Ireland for hundreds of years. Largely wiped out by the famine and slowly forgotten it. If you Google Bataireacht you can find some info on it.

[@crapsterface]

how many ounces is that thing ? I live in COurtenay and train in Hema

[@ceddie70]

just wow.

[@caydenb3829]

I are holding it backwords

[@4QICBC]

Laughing as I research the shillelagh via google ... from my pc in Campbell River.

[@asraven7386]

I use a combination of fiores binds, when carrying mine

[@lynxarmizare52]

I find Fiore is a great compliment to cane fighting.

[@Divyanshu0236]

👍👍

[@lugo_9969]

8:25...... oh yes it is an effective shot. And go h-ana tapaigh

[@luskarian4055]

8:23 the zwerchcopter

[@silverkitty2503]

level of taigness is infinite ....i can say that i am from ireland ..(the republic and a catholic)

[@BlandMarkComedy]

😂 I'm from NI and the "other" background (not practicing) but I would love to learn some Irish stick fighting.

[@claeslind9532]

You have a Swedish accent.

[@deanlol]

Work on moving your left leg forward with your left hand. It will feel less awkward.

[@sherrattpemberton6089]

Got to make sure the river is safe before crossing

[@deanlol]

@@sherrattpemberton6089 I'm not sure if you are agreed with me or saying I'm incorrect. Please explain because I would like your perspective.

[@Darren77771]

Why am i here ?

[@goblinoide]

Nostalgia Critic

[@TheGreatest1974]

Techniques are great for practising mate. But in a real stick fight I think there would be people dropping like flies. A couple good whacks and techniques go out the window. You’ll get to use maybe one defensive technique then it’s just savagery til the end. Elbows, heads, the lot. Violent and quick. That’s stick fighting.

[@hasukumori]

Real combat never looks like practice. But proper practice ( both forms and force on force) always helps improve the odds of surviving the real thing. Also, he was using it wrong. A sheleighleigh when properly used, is a club. Heavy end gets swung forward. The pointy end is only used for sneaky jobs after a defensive parry, and accounts for 1/4 of the offensive options. There are reason the great sword masters of the past made treatises.

[@Fjdvejsj5]

hey bro do you still work at hok? I'd love to come in and have a chat

[@stevesyncox9893]

I got mine in Courtenay.

[@lynxarmizare52]

Ooo where in Courtenay?

[@BrenB125]

Isn't shillelagh a noun? Is it appropriate to say I shillelaghed someone?

[@Kronsteiner]

Shillelagh is a village in Ireland county Wicklow...🙂

[@danielandrassy407]

That looks a lot more like black thorn wood than chaleigh wood

[@mikekeane6347]

Don't let the irish see this please

[@YorkshirePiper]

Seconded

[@undefined-ze6dc]

Ha , uses a twig , go home

[@nathandyson2196]

Learn to fight with your limbs before sticks my man

[@TheMuddatrucker]

It’s not about fighting, it’s about protection. Once you get to a certain age fighting with fists isn’t always viable, it’s a case of make do with what you have.

[@cluaintarbh531]

Jesus Christ.