Bataireacht (pronounced [ˈbˠat̪ˠəɾʲaxt̪ˠ]; meaning 'stick-fighting') (also called boiscín and ag imirt na maidí [1]) refers to a form of stick-fighting from Ireland sometimes described as a martial art.[2] Although an older practice,[3] the term was used by author John W. Hurley and introduced into modern English usage in the late 1990s.

Definition

Bata is the Irish language term for stick, and bataireacht sometimes given as referring to "cudgelling" or "beating with a club".[4] Bataireacht also refers to a category of stick-fighting in Ireland, with the shillelagh typically used in such fights.[3]

The fighting style is mostly characterized by the use of a cudgel, or knobbed stick, of different lengths but most often the size of a walking stick. The stick is grabbed by the third of the handle end, the lower part protecting the elbow and allowing the user to maintain an offensive as well as defensive guard. This grip also allows launching fast punching-like strikes.[5]

History

Sticks and cudgels (including the shillelagh) were used in Ireland as weapons of self-defence for centuries.

Some authors have argued that prior to the 19th century, the term "bataireacht" had been used to refer to a form of stick-fencing used to train Irish soldiers in broadsword and sabre techniques.[6] This theory has been criticized, including for its lack of primary source material. Although fencing instruction and manuals existed at the time and were available in Ireland and abroad, with one of them illustrating bataireacht among wrestling, boxing and fencing [7] the two systems are in practice substantially different, namely in the active use of the buta, a part of the stick with no equivalent in European swords.

By the 18th century, stick fighting became increasingly associated with Irish gangs called "factions". Irish faction fights involved large groups of men (and sometimes women) who engaged in melees at county fairs, weddings, funerals and other gatherings. Historians such as Carolyn Conley, believe that this reflected a culture of recreational violence. It is also argued that faction fighting had class and political overtones, as depicted for example in the works of William Carleton and James S. Donnelly, Jr.'s "Irish Peasants: Violence & Political Unrest, 1780". By the early 19th century, these gangs had organised into larger regional federations, which coalesced from the old Whiteboys, into the Caravat and Shanavest factions. Beginning in Munster, the Caravat and Shanavest "war" erupted sporadically throughout the 19th century and caused several disturbances.[8]

References

  1. ↑ O'Begly, Conor (1732). An Focloir Bearla Gaoidheilge. Bar na chur acclodh le Seumas Guerin, an bhiadhain dloir an tiaghurna. p. 145 – via books.google.com.
  2. ↑ O'Connell, Ronan (2022). "Bataireacht: The ancient Irish martial art making a comeback". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  3. 1 2 Geber, Jonny; O’Donnabhain, Barra (2020). ""Against Shameless and Systematic Calumny": Strategies of Domination and Resistance and Their Impact on the Bodies of the Poor in Nineteenth-Century Ireland". Historical Archaeology. 54 (1): 160–183. doi:10.1007/s41636-019-00219-2. ISSN 2328-1103. PMC 7012797. PMID 32116407.
  4. ↑ Dinneen, Patrick S., ed. (1904). Foclóir Gaedhilge agus Béarla / An Irish-English Dictionary (PDF). Dublin: Irish Texts Society – via celt.ucc.ie.
  5. ↑ Chouinard, Maxime (3 February 2015). "What is Irish stick fighting?". Hemamisfits.com. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  6. ↑ O'Donnell, Patrick D. (1975). The Irish Faction Fighters of the 19th Century. Anvil Press.
  7. ↑ Walker, Donald (1840). Defensive Exercises. Thomas Hurst. p. 62.
  8. ↑ Clark, Samuel; James S. Donnelly (1983). Irish Peasants: Violence & Political Unrest, 1780–1914. University of Wisconsin Press. ISBN 0-299-09374-3.
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