Bataireacht. Irish Stickfighting

[Temmy]

Bataireacht was once well known and widely studied in ireland. It has since fallen into disrepute due to its association with factional fighting and is now nearly forgotten. This style of Bataireacht was brought to Newfoundland with the Doyle family in the mid 1800's and has been passed down in the family. In the late 90's the current grandmaster received permission from his father to start teaching it to the public, and now the style is growing in popularity. Glen Doyle teaches it for free.

Stil Ui Dhubhghaill - Doyle Clan Irish Stick...

[cbl51]

I've been a huge fan of the Irish blackthorn for over 30 years. Irish stick fighting is basic stick combat with very logical moves that are very effective. The nice thing about a stick is, you can take one anywhere, unlike a knife or gun. I've flown many times since 9-11 with one of my Irish blackthorn sticks, and the only question I had asked of me was, do I need assistance walking through the metal detectors? They always pass my stick through the x-ray to make sure there's nothing inside it.

A stick gives you reach and power over a knife, with blocking ability thrown in. I've studied stick fighting, but I wish Doyal would take his show on the road so I could study with him. Looks like great stuff.

[PapaWhiskyBravo]

Looks good. Very enthusiastic bunch.

You can see the boxing influence with the stickwork. Its like Irish FMA!

[Dragunov]

Originally Posted by Temmy

Bataireacht was once well known and widely studied in ireland. It has since fallen into disrepute due to its association with factional fighting and is now nearly forgotten. This style of Bataireacht was brought to Newfoundland with the Doyle family in the mid 1800's and has been passed down in the family. In the late 90's the current grandmaster received permission from his father to start teaching it to the public, and now the style is growing in popularity. Glen Doyle teaches it for free.

Stil Ui Dhubhghaill - Doyle Clan Irish Stick Fighting (Various) Bataireacht - YouTube

I am most CERTAINLY impressed!!! This is the best "common sense" approach to stick fighting I've ever seen. What is done with the stick in this video, I do with a knife (common sense wise). Perhaps that's why I like it.

[Old Grump]

Our ship pulled into Road Town in the British Virgin Islands many years ago and it got drunk out. Drunken sailors getting teased by drunken islanders didn't set to well with some of our younger sailors and a small riot broke out. Fortunately it was outside and away from the beer tent. The duty section was called up for emergency shore patrol duty and we were trucked to the beer garden. All we had to do was gather up sailors and load them on the truck, There were 3 policemen there and they were handling things just fine without our help.

"Go sit by that tree boy." If the man went over to the tree and sat down with the rest of the crew he was okay. If he objected he got poked with the stick they carried, smooth, round hardwood staffs about 3 1'2 long. One punch alongside the nose to straighten the young lad up and then a couple of pokes to back him up where he was happy to sit down. The way they handles those sticks looks a lot like what I just saw in the video, smooth, looked like boxing but with a stick in your hand. None of the islanders argued, they went to their tree and sat without needing a reminder.

I looked at my night stick and his and asked that big drink of water they paired me up with if he wanted to trade. "No boy, they only give you half a stick." Then he laughed and laughed. I didn't think it was that funny but I had to agree with him.

[arizonafusilier]

Wow, I never heard of his before. Looks like it could be very practical, as they are not likely to ban sticks any time soon!

Is there anywhere else that this is taught?

[Jaqhama]

Originally Posted by arizonafusilier

Wow, I never heard of his before. Looks like it could be very practical, as they are not likely to ban sticks any time soon!

Is there anywhere else that this is taught?

Get a stick, start working out with it.

Nothing real complicated about hitting things with a stick.

Watch a few videos. Get four or five old car tyres or a punching bag for a target.

I make my sticks from Privet or buy suitable wooden handles at the local hardware store.

Later on get a partner. Some safety gear. Invent/perfect your own stick fighting style.

[Jaqhama]

Here's Glen Doyle's website, showing in stills many of the stick techniques he utilises.

You'll note that the moves are all pretty simple, as the best moves often are.

http://www.reocities.com/glendoyle/bata/

Teaching oneself to use a stick as a defensive/offensive tool is not beyond the ken of most of us.

The real art is making up workable combinations in response to your opponent's counter-moves.

[FarmerJohn]

Originally Posted by arizonafusilier

Wow, I never heard of his before. Looks like it could be very practical, as they are not likely to ban sticks any time soon!

Is there anywhere else that this is taught?

the boyscouts actually taught quarter staff years ago get a old manual if you can but there alot of places you can go for that I recommend going herehttp://www.thearma.org

they not only are a network of historical practitioners and historians but also have a very large selection of historical fight manuals available for study

[Jeff Brackett]

Looks similar to FMA, but with a bit longer stick. Methinks I'm going to have to look into a blackthorn stick.

[Cachook]

Still relevant after thousands of years for setting aright incorregibles. Sticks are so deceptive...

Unlike FMA, this style has a hold with some of the stick protruding as to render blocks.

[vicdotcom]

VERY nice! I am intrigued. I see some escrima/kali type influence in some of the stickwork but so much more. VERY nice.

[talon115]

I like it!!

[Somnophore]

Cold steel do a replica one made from polypropylene, pricey but very good as a self defense tool, and as I have knee ligament damage it's useful to have and no one can question my use of it.

[Cachook]

Liam Kealy makes gorgeous authentic ones and can be found at http://www.oldeshillelagh.com/

[TerragonSix]

In FMA, we use rattan sticks, relatively light but tough as nails. Can't tell you how many times I've had my knuckles popped while practicing self-defense. You'd think your hands would toughen up and you can take it.

I've been doing it for four years, and it still hurts like hell when it happens.

[Jaqhama]

Originally Posted by TerragonSix

In FMA, we use rattan sticks, relatively light but tough as nails. Can't tell you how many times I've had my knuckles popped while practicing self-defense. You'd think your hands would toughen up and you can take it.

I've been doing it for four years, and it still hurts like hell when it happens.

Not if you wear armoured gloves.

[merlinfire]

Originally Posted by FarmerJohn

the boyscouts actually taught quarter staff years ago get a old manual if you can but there alot of places you can go for that I recommend going herehttp://www.thearma.org

they not only are a network of historical practitioners and historians but also have a very large selection of historical fight manuals available for study

Wow I didn't know that.

[SharpDog]

seems this topic is coming up again on another thread so bump bump bump

[lodgepole]

I have been doing a little FMA with ratton sticks and foam covered sticks, in sparring hands become very sought after targets. I just can't help but notice how vulnerable the hands look with a lot of the Irish stick tactics. Makes me think ouch..