Bataireacht - Modern Practice

Modern Practice

The modern practice of bataireacht has arisen amongst some practitioners from a desire to maintain or reinstate Irish family traditions, while for others a combination of historical and cultural interest has led to their interest. Practitioners, which started independently of each other, exist in Ireland, the United States, Canada and Germany. Bataireacht has also gained popularity amongst non-Irish people, especially in the United States, as a form of self defense, especially as a cane or walking stick can be easily carried in modern society. As with most martial arts, multiple versions exist.

A few forms of bataireacht survive to this day, some of which are traditional styles specific to the family which carried them down through the years, like the "Rince an Bhata Uisce Bheatha" (whiskey stick dance) of the Doyle family of Newfoundland, taught in Canada, the United-States and Germany, or the Antrim stick (Aontroim Bataireacht) which is taught in Canada, the United-States and France. Others styles have survived in the techniques used in the sport of hurling and in military sabre fencing.

Additionally, members of the Western Martial Arts movement have "reconstructed" styles using period martial arts manuals, historical newspaper articles, magazines, pictorial evidence and court documents. Surviving instructional manuals which describe some use of the shillelagh include those by Rowland Allanson-Winn and Donald Walker.