A shillelagh is a traditional wooden Irish weapon/
walking stick, taking its name from the Shillelagh
forest in
Ireland. The word is generally pronounced 'shi-LAY-lee'.
The shillelagh itself varies in length, but is characterised by a knobbly ball at one end, designed to fit comfortably in the hand. The
business end sometimes had lead placed into it, this would be known as a '
loaded stick'.
For many young Irishmen, the shillelagh was considered a badge of honour.
Fathers taught their sons techniques, and many practiced avidly in
sparring matches at
fairs and other gatherings.
When fighting with a shilleglagh, the stick is held about a third of the way up from the
bottom, and snapped out with the wrist, unlike other
cudgels, which are swung.