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Reviving Irish Stick Fighting
Wexford Irish Stick Fighting Club is currently involved in the Reviving Irish Martial Arts Heritage Movement. As interest in Historical European Martial Arts is now a growing world wide movement, With enlightened people whom are dedicated to the study, reconstruction, practice and promotion of traditional European Fighting Arts (H.E.M.A)
Bataireacht Irish stick fighting (from the Irish bata, meaning stick) is the term used in Irish martial arts traditionally applied to various forms of Irish stick fighting, stick fencing and cut and thrust sword training
Stick fighting was, of course, prevalent throughout historical European martial arts and indeed worldwide. Originally taught in military fencing schools, Bataireacht is a form of Irish stick fighting. It may also have been used as a practice weapon for the sword, spear and pike
During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the use of the cane for personal protection was a common practice throughout Europe. many of the fighting methods formulated around the cane were modeled around fencing principles . To note in particular those principles pertaining to the use of the saber. These methods of using the cane for fighting became systems in their own right as their exponents discovered combative movements and techniques that had no direct relation to fencing maneuvers
Traditionally, blackthorn, oak, ash and hazel were the most common types of woods used to make irish fighting sticks, sometimes made with metal-reinforced tip
Blackthorn is not the only material that was used for Irish fighting sticks but it is the most often used
Irish fighting sticks can be anywhere from two foot to four foot long
As with any weapon, bearers would often find one best suited to their build, opting often for one that comes up to about waist - hip height
Shillelaghs Are Deadly Weapons
The Shillelagh has send many to the Doctor and some to the Grave-yard
At NO time what-so-ever do we train in-close with wooden weapons
Over View of Training - Simplicity and Efficacy
The walking stick a Powerful Weapon not just of Self-defense, but more importantly for Self-protection
Irish Stick Fighting is a very simple system to learn, and it is brutally effective. By following the methods and techniques the average man or woman can quickly acquire proficiency
While being versatile enough to be used in close quarters and at a variety of ranges against both single and multiple attackers
Irish Stick Fighting relies on adaptability and improvisation and as such includes no set stances or kata
Emphasis is placed on developing a proper combative mind set backed up with physical skills, In the hands of a person well trained in its use, the walking stick can be transformed into a highly effective weapon for self-defence
Please Note
Due to the content of what and how we teach, Our classes and seminars are for adults only. Under 18s may be permitted to train, only by prior agreement
Training Over-view
Teaching effective fighting strategy with a stick or stick-like weapon, strikes, blocks, disarms, takedowns and grappling maneuvers with a stick and much more
- Holding the weapon
- Basic cutting techniques (8 + thrusting)
- Basic striking techniques
- Basic blocking techniques
- Snap slash
- Power slash
- Hook cut / striking
- Drawing on the cuts
- Figure 8 striking
- Long-range distance fighting
- Fighting in-close
- Fighting with 3 foot or 4 foot stick
- Fighting with two sticks
- Fighting with one short stick
- Fighting with edged weapons "cutting"
- Fighting unarmed
- How to target certain areas
- Body weight
- Leaverage
To use the walking stick successfully one must practice with it, learning basics of high and low level guard positions, steps, attacks and defences
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Some Things In Common With Other Europan Fighting Styles
As the prohibition on carrying swords became wide-spread in europe, people were still able to carry walking sticks, fencing masters would model and transfer the techniques of sabre fencing to the walking stick
The stick which replaced the sword, and become a weapon for personal protection. The use of the walking stick, two-hand stick, along with knife and boxing became more was wide- spread in europe
The two handed grip style has many things in common with many of the european long sword, quarter-staff fighting styles and fighting with a long axe
The one handed grip style has many things in common with european smallsword, saber and rapier fighting styles
Historical European Martial Arts
With the widespread advent of the Internet from the late 1980s onwards there has been an explosion of interest in reviving the ancient European martial arts. Many written and illustrated records of the fighting arts of Europe, especially during the Medieval and Renaissance periods, have now become freely available via the Internet. Groups and individuals all over the world are working together to translate and interpret their lessons
Interest in and practice of HEMA has grown into a thriving international movement able to support professional instructors, numerous clubs, national federations, conferences and tournaments
Stick Fighting In Ireland
Irish Stick Fighting is presently in its infancy in Ireland and that there are individuals/groups interested in reviving it as an weapons art (as we are)
However, it is our personal experiences so far that there are those who regard it as a bit of a joke, particularly from within the martial arts community, some of whom would see it as just another money making scam
This is a system of practical self-defence that any person who has knowledge of the sword arts can learn and apply easily
About Irish Stick Fighting Clubs
We have great admiration for those who have already succeeded in establishing Irish Stick Fighting in their own area be it in Ireland or elsewhere and who are actively promoting it as an art within its own right
It remains to be seen whether it will be accepted as a weapons art in its country of origin
We should say that our interest lies in Irish Stick Fighting as a weapons art, in teaching and promoting it. We are not interested in politics, rivalary, club/style loyalties or egos
Reviving European Martial Arts Heritage
Because there is not a definitive reference to turn to, people are free to suppose whatever they wish about Irish stick fighting and stick fencing, swordsmanship and techniques
"There exists a ground swell, and it's called Historical European martial arts or HEMA. An impressive revival of awareness, interest, research and development in HEMA is occurring, that focuses on western fighting techniques" - ARMA
Historical European Martial Arts includes
Fighting with the Longsword (two handed sword fighting), Sword & Buckler (one handed sword fighting), Side Sword, Cut & Thrust, Rapier, Rapier & Cloak, Rapier & Dagger, Dussack, Messer, Dagger, Staff, Irish Bata (shillelagh), Irish Cudgel, La Canne, Bastone Siciliano, Halberd, Pike, Spear, Flail, Sickle, Scythe, Grappling, Mounted Combat, Armoured Combat, Un-Armoured Combat and much more
Irish Stick Fighting Training Wexford Town
St Josephs Community Center - Wexford Town - Tell 086-341-2424
