Discover the latest additions to the blarney store. This wood was used for walking sticks because of its sturdiness. Blackthorn walking sticks are used as both a cane and a fashion accessory. Some research shows that the finish was a mixture of ash and butter. This cold steel irish blackthorn stick is moulded in indestructible, heavy polypropylene. Genuine irish walking stick blackthorn 36 inch cane. Also known as a shillelagh, this blackthorn walking stick is crafted from solid irish hazel and covered with a thick coat of black paint with one end shaped into a handle. If you need a stick made to order just drop us an email. Get the best a real blackthorn walking stick from ireland made in the traditional manner from renewable sources. Blackthorn walking sticks made in ireland derryhick sticks. The digger takes a look at the history of the blackthorn. A shillelagh is a wooden walking stick and club or cudgel, typically made from a stout knotty. In his book, a social history of ancient ireland, historian p.
He began voraciously studying books and videos about stick making methods. Blackthorn lore and the art of making walking sticks. Blackthorn is a very hard, closegrained wood and if grown from a bush that is covered with very sharp, vicious spines. Every handsome stick varies in length ranging from 34. 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. Our hand crafted blackthorn walking sticks are made by skilled artisans in counties tyrone, armagh, roscommon and cork. Cold steel irish blackthorn walking stick 39 hiking edc. It was copied carefully, and then artfully modified to a point where it not only mimics nature, but actually rivals and supersedes anything the natural world could produce. Get the best deals on irish shillelagh walking stick when you shop the largest online selection at.
As for that souvenir you may have picked up at the airport the short, stubby cudgel which often sports a green bow and a nifty painted shamrock sorry, its not a shillelagh, its a sham. There are many legends associated with the blackthorn. The blackthorn tree was thought to have evil in it. Keep reading to learn some of the history behind these fascinating mobility aids and fashion statements.
Our irish blackthorn walking stick is inspired by an authentic blackthorn from cold steel president, lynn c. Traditional irish walking stick crafted from the wood of the irish blackthorn. How shillelagh fighting evolved into a irish martial art. Unfollow blackthorn walking stick to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. In most cases, the security screeners will simply assist you through, run your walking stick through xray and then hand it back to you on the other side. Whereas a heavier stick can be a serious means of selfprotection. Shillelaghs have a history in ireland going back hundreds of years. Natural blackthorn walking sticks are durable, attractive and much sought after a blackthorn walking stick is the best choice if you enjoy long walks in the countryside. Walking stick irish maker attributed to michael casey, c.
After the mix was applied the stick was hung inside the chimney where it was exposed to smoke and heat. Irish blackthorn walking stick irish blackthorn walking stick. The english when they took over ireland were having issues being beaned by them, so they banned them. The pistol grip blackthorn walking stick is a handsome heirloom quality knobstick for getting around see more. 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 first saw stick makers in action. The irish blackthorn walking stick also known as a shillelagh is much more than just a walking aid.
Irish blackthorn walking stick costumes and collectibles. Natural irish blackthorn walking stick with knob handle, polished natural bark and genuine leather strap. Thickness of sticks will vary and so will the replacement tip size. Etsy has thousands of handcrafted and vintage products that perfectly fit what youre searching for. Irish blackthorn shillelagh are one of the most culturally significant variety of walking. 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. Made from one of the strongest stickmakers woods, this is a walking stick which will last for a long time, while requiring low maintenance.
Cold steel walking stick irish blackthorn 91pbs 64318. Blackthorn irish culture, humour, travel, heritage. Blackthorn walking sticks uk made the stick and cane shop. Shillelagh history explained, origins of ancient fight stick irishcentral.
One of the old proverbs tells us with a walking stick you reach many lands you reach many more with words. Irish blackthorn walking stick hand carved genuine wood. Jun 17, 2012 the cold steel irish blackthorn walking stick is a fine example of a reproduction irish shillelagh and may fit your idea of a possible tool for selfdefense, if called upon, while trekking the urban jungle or the parks and backwoods of america. See more ideas about stick fight, irish and blackthorn walking stick.
Find great deals on ebay for blackthorn cane and blackthorn walking stick. Blackthorn has long been used as a wood for walking or riding sticks, and is the material traditionally used to create an irish shillelagh, or fighting stick. We like to think of blackthorn restaurant and irish pub as your own shillelagh to use when the burden of life overcomes your strength. Whats the exciting history behind these beautiful canes.
How to make a shillelagh do it yourself mother earth news. From the legend of the claddagh ring to drowning the shamrock on st. That includes researching and sourcing the best books and products to help. Blackthorn walking sticks for sale in uk view 55 ads. The wood of the blackthorn is traditionally used in ireland to make shillelaghs, a walking stick shaped club, originally used as a weapon to settle a score and now a symbol of heritage among many people of irish descent throughout the world. Connect with your irish heritage with an authentically made irish blackthorn walking stick. Cold steel irish blackthorn walking stick, polypropylene, 37.
Irish walking stickwalking stickswrestling booksstick fightirish mythologyirish. Cold steel irish blackthorn walking stick features cold steels modern interpretation of this beautiful and historically significant walking stick is made from high impact polypropylene. The name shillelagh is the hibernoenglish corruption of the irish gaelic. The discovery of canes and walking sticks inside the tomb suggest not only the opulence of even the most mundane artifacts, making him one of the first cane collectors in history. The wood of the blackthorn tree is traditionally used in ireland to make shillelaghs, a strong walking stick for the weak.
Celtic crafts 4u make and supply genuine top quality irish walking sticks and shillelaghs through our web site at. Nobody was disfigured thereby, or rendered fit for a doctor. Get out of the house and explore the outdoors with a little help from this cool new genuine handmade irish shillelagh. New stock added every week so keep checking site for something different. I injured my knee 10 years ago and i had to use a walking stick for a while, so i picked up a irish blackthorn walking stick. Authentic irish walking stick blackthorn walking cane 37 inches walking cane bubba stik texas style walking stick made of stained tennessee hardwood and topped with a brass hame handle from a real horse collar harness. Irish blackthorn story history of symbolic walking stick. Our blackthorn walking stick is a handsome cane worthy of being a family heirloom. This shillelagh cudgel has a wonderful hitting endhead is about 4 longgreat shape, color and lookcarved irish harp and eire on the two hitting end facestypical age cracksretaining. All our sticks are hand crafted using traditional methods, there not mass. Although the shillelagh is thought to be irish, according to anthony bluett, it was an english writer who coined the name for irish walking sticks.
Multipurpose, selfdefence, survival tool scottish history and myth. The blackthorn bush is found throughout ireland and the british isles. 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. If you have a bata or walking stick made of oak, ash, holly or blackthorn, you do indeed have a real shillelagh. Mccaffrey irish store blackthorn walking sticks, shillelaghs. Blackthorn walking stick history the irish jewelry. Shillelagh history explained, origins of ancient fight stick. Irish stick fighting however, while the name of the walking stick itself may not be irish, but the use of the blackthorn stick as a weapon certainly is. Blackthorn sticks in their natural state are a slatey grey, darker than the other thorn. Buy blackthorn lore and the art of making walking sticks by douglas, john murchie isbn.
Bataireacht or boiscin, the ancient irish tradition of stick fighting, as opposed to using a stick as a substitute for a sword. Walking canes from ireland are renowned for their resilience and the blackthorn bush yields the hardest of woods used for making canes. Blackthorn sticks and shillelaghs are objects that are deeprooted in our history. Our cold steel irish blackthorn walking sticks are inspired by an authentic blackthorn from cold steel president lynn c. Blackthorn walking stick hazel shaft and authentic blackthorn handle genuine irish shillelagh cane copper ferule base made in ireland walking cane bubba stik texas style walking stick made of stained tennessee hardwood and topped with a brass hame handle from a real horse collar harness. Decorative canes are classy pieces of history that go back thousands of years. What is the history of the irish blackthorn staff aka the. In times gone by, everyone would had have some sort of blackthorn stick in ireland. Genuine irish smooth blackthorn 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. Shillelagh making start to finish time lapse youtube. We are a family run stick making business from ireland, we mainly make blackthorn walking sticks and shillelaghs but we also make hazel and holly sticks. Not a cane blackthorn shillelagh natural wood walking stick natural irish blackthorn wood shillelagh, with polished natural bark, genuine leather strap at the end, approximately 20 long. According to family history, this blackthorn walking stick was grown. Irish blackthorn walking stick knob handle walking sticks.
Blackthorn bushes are found throughout ireland though with modern agricultural methods they are becoming less prevalent making a blackthorn stick even more unique. Each piece is unique and we carefully select the straightest sticks with plenty of thorns and a nice finish. Irish traditional blackthorn walking stick hand crafted from the blackthorn bushes in counties cork and kerry. Irish blackthorn walking stick irish shopper limited. Walking stick humanities libertexts libretextshumanities. How to cut blackthorn blackthorn walking sticks the beginning. Blackthorn walking stick hazel shaft and authentic blackthorn handle genuine irish shillelagh cane copper ferule base made in ireland. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. According to family history, this blackthorn walking stick was grown in according to family history, this blackthorn walking stick was grown in porterstown in county limerick, ireland and was given to lighthorse harry lee in 1783 by a veterans group in baltimore. The blackthorn is found throughout ireland and the british isles, and it has been prized for centuries as a material for premium walking sticks. Home irish gifts irish blackthorn irish blackthorn.
In expert hands the shillelagh was so fearsome that during the final occupation of ireland, the english outlawed it. The only time i have ever been hassled was at logan aiport. Kids and woman as well as men would have their own sticks. In his 1790 book, personal sketches of his own times, sir john. A lighter stick will be ideal for a brisk stroll great for controlling a dog and pushing away wild brambles. They were used for a walking aid, a pointing tool, poking, disciplining children, and even for herding cows from one field to another. Shillelaghs are usually made from blackthorn wood with a leather wrist strap joined to the handle. They have been made using the traditional method that has been passed down through the generations.
There is a lot of work and preparation time in producing one. Joyce notes that the ancient irish used broadswords, much like their neighbors. Luxury canes and fashionable walking sticks for men and women in a variety of colors, materials and design. The only thing black about a blackthorn is the fruit, the sloe, and even that is black with a purple sheen. It is typically made from a stout knobbly and knotty stick with a knotty head, which can be used for gripping or striking. However one needs to be very careful before buying an authentic irish blackthorn stick. Irish blackthorn walking sticks blackthorn canes for sale. The fascinating history behind your blackthorn walking stick. The gaelic bata, or fighting stick, would have been made from oak, blackthorn, ash or holly. Cold steel irish blackthorn walking stick guntoters.
Back in the days of witch hunts, you did not want to be caught with a blackthorn walking stick, that was for sure. The diameter of shaft is 78 inch under the handle 58 inch at the end. This self defense stick will never crack, warp, swell or splinter. Blackthorn walking stick hazel shaft and authentic blackthorn handle genuine irish shillelagh cane copper ferule base made in ireland 3. Select your size from the dropdown menu above from 32 inches to 37 inches in length. Unfortunately i cant figure out how to duplicate the black finish.
Blackthorn is renowned for its hardness being one of the tougher woods in the wild. Shillelagh blackthorn walking stick irish culture and. Traditional irish blackthorn shillelagh walking stick fighting stick bata. The blackthorn has been prized for centuries as a material for premium walking sticks. Shillelagh blackthorn walking stick world cultures european. Lollysmith shop irish culture and customs world cultures. How to make a blackthorn walking stick our pastimes. Blackthorn walking sticks irelands largest authentic shillelagh and blackthorn walking stick maker, open for business during global pandemic, using dhl to ship worldwide from my home workshop. The shillelagh walking stick has been the walking stick of choice for many european gentlemen for centuries. A shillelagh is a wooden walking stick and club, or cudgel made from a thick, knotty stick with a large knob on top of blackthorn wood. You dont have to be irish to know how to make a shillelagh pronounced. Authentic irish walking stick blackthorn walking cane 37 inches 3. The most wellknown incarnation of the classic blackthorn stick was the irish shillelagh a tool that was so fearsome in trained hands that the english outlawed it.
Irish blackthorn series speciality items cold steel uk. It is an outgrowth of the old irish sheleghleigh sp. History of blackthorn walking sticks blackthorn bush is found throughout ireland and the british isles. Jun 09, 2006 it now looks like a irish blackthorn walking stick. The celtic other use for the staff or walking stick or shillelagh was as a cudgel combining supportiveness and a way of fending off people in self defense, this you can remember when anybody tries to beat you down or suppress those new creative thoughts and aspirations, a the blackthorn also is sin ominous with standing up for ones rights. I live in the usa new england and ordered it on monday and had it on friday. In ancient times in ireland, the blackthorn walking stick was also used as a weapon and referred to as a shillelagh. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Blackthorn walking stick with contrasting polished beechwood pistol grip handle from classic canes, somerset, england.
In his wonderful book on irish folklore, padraic colum quotes john banim in this. The blackthorn walking sticks have been made using the traditional method that has been passed down through the generations. The original blackthorn sticks were 2 to 4 foot long irish shillelaghs the national weapon of rural ireland. The cold steel 37in polypropylene irish blackthorn walking stick has been prized for centuries as using the blackthorn bush for premium walking sticks. The shillelagh siuil eille is an old gaelic word meaning oak club is a. Back in the day before paved roads, the roads and boreens means little road were very uneven so a walking stick was an aid.
It has been prized for centuries as a material for premium walking sticks. Eventually, it became synonymous for any irish walking stick. Oct 09, 2018 i received my blackthorn walking stick from mccaffrey a few days ago. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described in our cookie policy unless you have disabled them.
Made from the extremely durable irish blackthorn wood, these sticks make a truly wonderful walking companion. Blackthorn walking stick by cold steel atlanta cutlery. Discover all the extraordinary items our community of craftspeople have to offer and find the perfect gift for your loved one or yourself. This unique walking fighting stick is handmade in ireland of blackthorn wood from remote areas of county wicklow, cork and kerry. Irish walking stick genuine blackthorn made in ireland. Each irish blackthorn walking stick is cut in the dead of winter when the sap is no longer running in the wood. Our blackthorn walking sticks are available in both rustic and modern designs, but all feature this classic wood with its characteristic gnarled surface. Irish shillelaghs and walking sticks littleshamrocks. And it was said that witches would use these sticks as walking sticks so that they could cause mischief while on the go.
However, one of the most interesting decorative canes is perhaps the blackthorn walking stick. I never saw a bone broken or a dangerous contusion from what was called whacks of a shillelagh which was never too heavy. It has been prized for centuries as a material for premium irish walking sticks or cane. A history of shillelagh law and hobnailed boot stomping. Each blackthorn walking stick is very sturdy but light. Notwithstanding all of the difficulties associated with the species, the blackthorn walking stick is one of the most popular walking sticks available and an authentic irish blackthorn walking stick is regarded worldwide as a valuable possession. Irish blackthorn walking stick irish blackthorn walking.
Both the scots and the irish used them this way, especially during the historical era. Hand crafted from the blackthorn bushes in counties cork and kerry. Its incredibly durable, and is easy to clean with a little soap and water. Bubba stik w logo and brass handle, ebony only 3 left in stock order soon.