Shillelagh - Irish Martial Arts Weapon

The Shillelagh is an Irish wooden short staff or walking stick that was also used as a martial arts weapon. Traditionally, Shillelaghs are made from the wood of a Blackthorn because it is less prone to cracking. This weapon is used in the Irish martial arts known as Bataireacht or Irish stick fighting.

A Shillelagh often had a large knob at the end of the stick in order to more effectively strike an attacker. Moreover, these knobs were often lead loaded. According to Olde Shillelagh, this "means that the head of the stick is filled with lead to give the stick a better balance and more potency at the point of impact. It does not make the stick feel heavier as the extra weight is carried in the hand and it is completely invisible."

References

1. Olde Shillelagh, FAQ, http://www.oldeshillelagh.com/apps/faq/#anchor-1-3, Added - 0307/14