Hi all.... Always on the lookout for existing Western folk-martial arts I met up with an Irish cudgeller tonight.... Through the Irish stickfighting Yahoo group, I agreed to meet with a County Antrim cudgeller, John Ramsay who was taught to wield a blackthorn stick in the Irish fashion by his father. His wife & newborn baby were in Yorkhill hospital, the reason for him being in Glasgow, so we met outside casualty, where he suggested we get the sticks out & train in the car park!!! I didn't think this was a good idea and suggested a nearby park, where John took me through some footwork, reminicent of Irish dance steps and techniques and drills of the Irish Bata. Being skeptical at the best of times I was pleasantly suprised by what John taught, and wouldn't like to be on the wrong side of his stick! Louie
I saw a demonstration of Irish stick fighting in Toronto, it looked pretty intense. I didn't get the name of the club, but the main guy seemed pretty skilled.
Bata I think that may have been Glen Doyle?? He's Canadian but teaches a style he says was taught by his Irish father or grandfather. Louie
Very interesting. There is some reference to this kind of an MA in the following book which is a fun read. King of the Gypsies Memoirs of the Undefeated Bareknuckle Champion of Great Britain and Ireland authors: Bartley Gorman w/Peter Walsh ISBN: 1-9038-54164
Canada Bata I am not sure Helena, I only know he's primarily a Kung Fu teacher Here's his website if your interested in finding out more... http://www.geocities.com/glendoyle/bata/ Another link to 'Bata' is... http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4933/shillelagh.html Louie
Interesting, here's a nice little read on Irish cudgel history http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4933/batatext.html
Helena, we have to stop meeting like this *lol*. I'm going to Glen's school tomorrow night to train, I'll give a review afterwards.
Irish Bata Hi all Just to elaborate on my impression of the Irish style of stick-fighting. While the Scottish style is based on Broadsword training, the Irish reminds me of..... Weilding a big axe!!! The way that the stick is held with the butt end down to the elbow, you hold the shaft near the centre. Unlike escrima sticks the bata is more of a cave-man club with a weighted top-end. You can strike with the club end, or the shaft and the butt of the stick. The Footwork is similar to Irish/Highland dance steps, which resemble traditional Celt wrestling with kicks, sweeps & trips!!! Louie
Irish Cudgel.... Hi all.... Great to hear that your giving it a go! If you get the opportunity to post some photos please do! Looking at Glen's technique on his website it varies from the Co. Antrim style & stance I was shown. Louie
Just noticed this thread, can't believe I missed the oppertunity If he's over again we should set up a get together, I'm pretty sure some of my lot would like to see this
Elhiggito.... I PM'd you the day I was meeting him (Wednesday before your Stick-Day), thinking you might phone & join me It was along the same lines as the Krabi stuff you were showing me last time I saw you... (When you got in V. close and stabbed me with the but end of the stick) I was teaching it to Pat in the Heli-Pad on Sunday (Riverdancin') but need to get the real sticks to try it out properly!!! Next time your down I'd be happy to go through it... and if John's back in Glasgow I'll PM you AGAIN!!!!!! Louie
