Meeting an Irish Cudgeller!

[Louie]

Hi all....

Always on the lookout for existing Western folk-martial arts I met up with an Irish cudgeller tonight....

Through the Irish stickfighting Yahoo group, I agreed to meet with a County Antrim cudgeller, John Ramsay who was taught to wield a blackthorn stick in the Irish fashion by his father.
His wife & newborn baby were in Yorkhill hospital, the reason for him being in Glasgow, so we met outside casualty, where he suggested we get the sticks out & train in the car park!!!

I didn't think this was a good idea and suggested a nearby park, where John took me through some footwork, reminicent of Irish dance steps and techniques and drills of the Irish Bata.
Being skeptical at the best of times I was pleasantly suprised by what John taught, and wouldn't like to be on the wrong side of his stick! :eek:

Louie

[Helena Handbask]

I saw a demonstration of Irish stick fighting in Toronto, it looked pretty intense. I didn't get the name of the club, but the main guy seemed pretty skilled.

[Louie]

I saw a demonstration of Irish stick fighting in Toronto, it looked pretty intense. I didn't get the name of the club, but the main guy seemed pretty skilled.

I think that may have been Glen Doyle?? He's Canadian but teaches a style he says was taught by his Irish father or grandfather.

Louie

[Helena Handbask]

Well it was amazing, his speed and power was awesome. Does he teach in Toronto?

[slipthejab]

Very interesting.

There is some reference to this kind of an MA in the following book which is a fun read.

King of the Gypsies
Memoirs of the Undefeated Bareknuckle Champion
of Great Britain and Ireland

authors: Bartley Gorman w/Peter Walsh
ISBN: 1-9038-54164

[Louie]

Well it was amazing, his speed and power was awesome. Does he teach in Toronto?

I am not sure Helena, I only know he's primarily a Kung Fu teacher
Here's his website if your interested in finding out more...
http://www.geocities.com/glendoyle/bata/

Another link to 'Bata' is...
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4933/shillelagh.html

Louie

[Richdog]

Interesting, here's a nice little read on Irish cudgel history http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4933/batatext.html :)

[Battle Man]

Helena, we have to stop meeting like this *lol*. I'm going to Glen's school tomorrow night to train, I'll give a review afterwards.

[Louie]

Hi all

Just to elaborate on my impression of the Irish style of stick-fighting.

While the Scottish style is based on Broadsword training, the Irish reminds me of..... Weilding a big axe!!!

The way that the stick is held with the butt end down to the elbow, you hold the shaft near the centre. Unlike escrima sticks the bata is more of a cave-man club with a weighted top-end. You can strike with the club end, or the shaft and the butt of the stick.

The Footwork is similar to Irish/Highland dance steps, which resemble traditional Celt wrestling with kicks, sweeps & trips!!!

Louie

[Battle Man]

Took my first irish stick fighting class tonight. Ouch is all I can say, it was awesome!

[Helena Handbask]

I'm giving it a try tomorrow BM, so I hope to meet you in person. THey gave me a free week as well.

[Battle Man]

I'll be there!

[Louie]

Hi all....

Great to hear that your giving it a go!
If you get the opportunity to post some photos please do!

Looking at Glen's technique on his website it varies from the Co. Antrim style & stance I was shown.

Louie

[Helena Handbask]

Here are some photos from Uisce class.

[Helena Handbask]

More photos from Uisce class

[Louie]

Hi Helena

Thanks for posting the photos, very interesting.....

:)

Cheers!!!

Louie

[Scotty Dog]

Just noticed this thread, can't believe I missed the oppertunity :(

If he's over again we should set up a get together, I'm pretty sure some of my lot would like to see this :D

[Battle Man]

I saw your website, Elhig, very interesting.

[Scotty Dog]

Thanks :D

credit to Yoda though, he's the web designer & the groups guiding force

[Louie]

Just noticed this thread, can't believe I missed the oppertunity :(

If he's over again we should set up a get together, I'm pretty sure some of my lot would like to see this :D

Elhiggito....

I PM'd you the day I was meeting him (Wednesday before your Stick-Day), thinking you might phone & join me :rolleyes:

It was along the same lines as the Krabi stuff you were showing me last time I saw you... (When you got in V. close and stabbed me with the but end of the stick)

I was teaching it to Pat in the Heli-Pad on Sunday (Riverdancin') but need to get the real sticks to try it out properly!!!

Next time your down I'd be happy to go through it... and if John's back in Glasgow I'll PM you AGAIN!!!!!!

;)
Louie

[Scotty Dog]

Hi Louie,

Sorry bud got the PM saying you were having trouble grtting off work but nothing about the training ???

I'm away this weekend, but should be able to get down your bit a week on sunday if ya fancy it :D

[Louie]

Hi Louie,

Sorry bud got the PM saying you were having trouble grtting off work but nothing about the training ???

I'm away this weekend, but should be able to get down your bit a week on sunday if ya fancy it :D

Sorry Bud,

Must have forgot to click SEND :bang:

I would have been interested in your interpretation!!!!

I was going to ask John to come along on the Saturday but it seems he had'nt fought with pads & helm or used rattan before. Just practiced drills & techniques with his father/brother or Co. Antrim trees....

I thought about persuading him to spar with the gear on but had a feeling he would have innocently tried to club me to death :D :D :D

I've been at the park most Sunday's since the weather's been good, just let me know what time you'll be there.

Louie

[Scotty Dog]

Man it'd have been cool just to meet another stick monkey :D
Next time he's over we need to get a session going

as for the clubing you to death, it's never stopped us sparring ;)

[Newrymuaythai]

Guys i've seen this thread and had a good read of it and was totally interested, one reason being im from Ireland and another being their is a home country art which i never knew, i've been into my arts for years studying Jeet Kune Do, Muay Thai, Boxing etc!

I know the sticks you guys talk about cause my old boy/Grandfather use's one as a walking stick which he has used to beat a few bad boys in the past.lol. Ones tried to mugg him not knowing hes old skool falls road man where he was brought up in hard times and had to fight for his family and look after them so they picked the wrong old boy to f.e.c.k with.

Anywayz im gonna ask my brother about this and see what he knows cause hes a big martial arts man training in different arts for a number of years and see what he says, anyways keep up your training and have fun. Joe

[Louie]

Anywayz im gonna ask my brother about this and see what he knows cause hes a big martial arts man training in different arts for a number of years and see what he says, anyways keep up your training and have fun. Joe

Hi Joe...

Be sure to let us know what you find out...
I thought that the UK version of stickfighting (single-stick) had died out long ago but there seems to be a few veteran fencers & military guys that have kept it going... So it's probably the same with Irish stick.

Louie

[jedi_eowyn]

omg i did not know there was an irish stick fighting art thats cool