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Irish/Military History- The Irish Blackthorn 
Shillelagh Fighting Stick carried by the commissioned officers and Regimental Sergeant Major of the Royal Irish Regiment. @RIrishRegiment @kayneagle 1/14
Shillelagh Fighting Stick carried by the commissioned officers and Regimental Sergeant Major of the Royal Irish Regiment. @RIrishRegiment @kayneagle 1/14
2/14 Irish blackthorn shillelagh are one of the most culturally significant variety of walking sticks, especially amongst Irish-Americans. What's the exciting history behind these beautiful canes?
3/14What Is Blackthorn Wood?
Blackthorn is a type of flowering plant also known as Prunus Spinosa. The plant gets its name from the dark colour of its thorns. Oak is less common in Ireland than it is in England, and for this reason the Irish used blackthorn wood in its place.
Blackthorn is a type of flowering plant also known as Prunus Spinosa. The plant gets its name from the dark colour of its thorns. Oak is less common in Ireland than it is in England, and for this reason the Irish used blackthorn wood in its place.
4/14What Is Blackthorn Wood Used For?
The round berries are used to make sloe gin in Britain, and as the wood burns well with little smoke it is often used for firewood. It is attractive and takes on a fine polish, and has therefore been used to make walking sticks by the Irish.
The round berries are used to make sloe gin in Britain, and as the wood burns well with little smoke it is often used for firewood. It is attractive and takes on a fine polish, and has therefore been used to make walking sticks by the Irish.
5/14 What Is Blackthorn Wood Used For?
Blackthorn sticks are carried by commissioned officers of the
Royal Irish Regiment in the British Army.
Blackthorn sticks are carried by commissioned officers of the
Royal Irish Regiment in the British Army.
6/14 What is an Irish Walking Stick Called?
An Irish walking stick is traditionally called a shillelagh. The sticks first heralded from the Shillelagh Forest in the dramatically beautiful County Wicklow in Ireland. The word roughly translates to "thronged willow" in Irish.
An Irish walking stick is traditionally called a shillelagh. The sticks first heralded from the Shillelagh Forest in the dramatically beautiful County Wicklow in Ireland. The word roughly translates to "thronged willow" in Irish.
7/14 What is a Shillelagh?
A shillelagh is a wooden cudgel, club or walking stick that is commonly made from a stout and knotted blackthorn stick with a large knob on the end. Nowadays they are available in a variety of woods.
A shillelagh is a wooden cudgel, club or walking stick that is commonly made from a stout and knotted blackthorn stick with a large knob on the end. Nowadays they are available in a variety of woods.
8/14 Stout Hazel Knob Handle Walking Stick
This Stout Hazel Knob Handle Walking Stick is a similar shape to the traditional Shillelagh. The knob makes it easy to hold in the palm of your hand, and the hazel wood provides a natural appearance.
This Stout Hazel Knob Handle Walking Stick is a similar shape to the traditional Shillelagh. The knob makes it easy to hold in the palm of your hand, and the hazel wood provides a natural appearance.
9/14 How Are Shillelagh Made?
Wood from the root of the plant would be used to make the knob at the end of the shillelagh, as it is tougher and less prone to crack. The chosen wood would then be placed in a chimney for several months to several years, allowing it to accumulate
Wood from the root of the plant would be used to make the knob at the end of the shillelagh, as it is tougher and less prone to crack. The chosen wood would then be placed in a chimney for several months to several years, allowing it to accumulate
10/14 soot and give the typical black shiny appearance.
11/14 What Is the History of the Shillelagh?
When Ireland was ruled by Britain it was made illegal to carry weapons, and the Shillelagh developed as a disguised means of self defence. They were commonly used for fighting and duelling, and sometimes the knob would be filled with
When Ireland was ruled by Britain it was made illegal to carry weapons, and the Shillelagh developed as a disguised means of self defence. They were commonly used for fighting and duelling, and sometimes the knob would be filled with
12/14 molten lead for a more powerful strike.
13/14 Why Is It So Hard to Find Blackthorn Walking Sticks?
Blackthorn is one of the most sought-after woods for making walking sticks. Lengths of raw material long enough to make into walking sticks are rare to come by, and for this reason it is difficult to procure a blackthorn
Blackthorn is one of the most sought-after woods for making walking sticks. Lengths of raw material long enough to make into walking sticks are rare to come by, and for this reason it is difficult to procure a blackthorn
