Irish shillelagh fighting was all but forgotten in the 20th century.
John Cheatwood, 45, of Pittsburgh, Pa., left, practices fighting techniques with Ross Lungren, 41, of Pittsburgh, during a Combat Shillelagh class at Pittsburgh Bujinkan Dojo in Pittsburgh, Pa., on March 2, 2024.Pittsburgh — There’s probably an off-color joke about “Irish karate” on a shirt somewhere, but on a misty and gray Saturday morning in March, no one in the martial arts dojo was doubling over in laughter or wearing green.
“Do not just stand there, or you will get smashed in the head,” instructor Brian Fine told his students. “Sure, it was a walking stick or something to chase off wild dogs but there was a time when Irish peasants were under English rule and all weapons were banned, it became a stand-in, an analog for weapons,” Earlewine, 55, said. “It became a way to hide in plain sight, to practice sword work, with a stick.”
“I’ve got students in 40 states and 25 countries, so its really taken off,” he said. “There’s starting to be a resurgence in Ireland too.” “We’re doing it slow to train your brain,” Earlewine said. “If we go to fast, you’ll miss your angle, and get popped.”. Bujinkan Dojo teaches self defense classes with all of them. Walking around with a shillelagh as a walking stick is generally accepted, but getting on a plane or a Steelers game with one could be a case by case basis. It helps to have a doctor’s note.
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