Bataireacht : Our Native Irish Martial Art
Since a cane or walking stick can be carried easily in modern society. Bataireacht can be used as an effective self-defence martial art impact weapon
Often associated with hurling gangs and faction fighters, it was recently dramatized in Gangs of New York. Modern practice of Bataireacht has arisen among some practitioners from a desire to maintain or reinstate Irish traditions, while for others a combination of historical and cultural interest has led to their interest in bataireacht.
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. Traditionally, blackthorn, oak, ash and hazel were the most common types of woods used to make irish fighting sticks.
The Irish have used various sticks and cudgels as weapons of self-defense for centuries. The ancient tradition of Irish stick fighting really came to the forefront sometime in the 17th century when the Irish were banned from owning formal weapons. At that time the innocent looking walking stick, called a bata or shillelagh, came into use as a serious weapon. In the centuries that followed, stick fighting became an integral part of Irish culture.
In the 19th century bataireacht became associated with Irish gang or "faction" fighting. Some evidence exists which indicates that, prior to the 19th Century, the term had been used to refer to a form of stick-fencing used to train Irish soldiers in broadsword and sabre techniques
Irish stick-fighting styles were more methods of combat than strictly stylized and adhered to "martial arts" - but certain patterns of common styles did exist
Since ancient times, the arts of stick fighting had been handed down from fathers to sons or learned in traditional military fencing schools. The traditional Irish shillelagh is still identified with popular Irish culture to this day, although the arts of bataireacht are much less so.