Shillelagh
[2][3] As an alternate etymology, Anna Maria Hall and Patrick Weston Joyce have written that the name may have derived from the wood being sourced from forest land in the village or barony of Shillelagh, County Wicklow.Most commonly, the chosen wood would be placed up a chimney to cure for a duration of several months to several years;[a] the accumulated layer of soot gave the shillelagh its typical black shiny appearance.[citation needed] One isolated case of this brining method being used, by Charlotte Brontë's uncle named Hugh, has been documented.By the 19th century Irish shillelagh-fighting had evolved into a practice which involved the use of three basic types of weapons, sticks which were long, medium or short in length.[27] Also referred to as boiscín,[28] the fighting style is mostly characterised by the use of a cudgel, or knobbed stick, which 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.[29] 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.[30] Irish faction fights involved large groups engaging in melees at county fairs, weddings, funerals and other gatherings.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.[47] In the tabletop game Dungeons & Dragons, 'shillelagh' is a low-level spell used by casters to make simple clubs into powerful bludgeoning weapons.
Shillelagh (disambiguation)club or cudgelblackthornIrish folkloreHiberno-EnglishcorruptiongenitiveAnna Maria HallPatrick Weston JoycebaronyShillelagh, County Wicklowslaked limeblack leadbrininghypertonic solutionCharlotte Brontëwhale oilchamois leathermagpieferrulesstick-fightingmartial artwattlesIrish languagebroadswordWilliam CarletonJames S. Donnelly, Jr.WhiteboysMunsterFinnegan's WakeIt's the Same Old ShillelaghArthur McBrideRocky Road to DublinCharles Dibdin the youngerBing CrosbyIrish GuardsRoyal Irish RegimentRoyal Dragoon GuardsThe Fighting 69thNew York Army National GuardBoston CelticsleprechaunBrisbane BrothersRugby leaguePadresMark Grantinflatablecollege footballJeweled Shillelaghrivalry gameUniversity of Southern California TrojansUniversity of Notre Dame Fighting IrishMGM-51357th Fighter GroupDungeons & DragonsPhilippinesKnobkerrieRungu (weapon)O'Donnell, Patrick DenisDiarmaid Ó MuiritheP. W. JoycealpenstockUniversity of Wisconsin PressPavilion BooksCarleton, WilliamCarleton, WillColum, PadraicManchester Literary and Philosophical SocietyDibdin, C. Jr.Gill & MacmillanThe New York TimesHall, S. C.Mabey, RichardMcCann, SeanMilner, DanWizards of the Coast