Shillelagh Seminar
with Maxime Chouinard
Saturday, May 20
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
18 West 18th Street, Room 601
New York, New York 10011

learn the centuries-old art of Irish stick fighting!

No weapon is more strongly associated with Ireland than the shillelagh (also called bataireacht or boiscin), an Anglicization of the Irish word sail éille, a wooden walking stick made from stout knotty stick with a large knob at the top, used as a cudgel both in settling gentlemanly disputes between individuals as well as in clan fighting and other combatives in Ireland, where stick fighting has been practiced for centuries. Irish customs made their way to the New World, and in mid-19th century Manhattan, the Five Points was a hotbed of Irish factions angling for criminal and political power - the infamous "Gangs of New York."

Irish stick fighting was hugely popular in the 18th and 19th century in Ireland and was practiced most often during faction fights, but also for duels and self-defense. Irish stick fighters became widely known all throughout Europe for their ability to handle a stick. The art nearly died down in the 20th century and even in Ireland today few people know that it still exists. Thankfully it is undergoing a certain renaissance since the 1990s.

The style that will be taught at the workshop is called Antrim Stick. It is a traditional style from Northern Ireland, which dates from at least the 19th century. It is an efficient style focusing on speed and adaptability. Through this style you will learn to use a stick in every range and in multiple situations. The style also contains techniques using different size of sticks, as well as using kicks, grabs and punches.

For more information, see What is Irish stick fighting? by Maxime Chouinard.