Shillelagh
A Shillelagh is essentially a club fitted with a leather wrist strap (not a true national symbol of Ireland but close). It is typically made out of the wood from the blackthorn bush (light but very stout). The name and club may have originated in the village of Shillelagh in County Wicklow but no one knows for sure. It was used in the 19th century in traditional Irish stick fighting (called Bataireacht). The Shillelagh is not to be confused with Blackthorn Walking Sticks (we carry these in the Wandering Angus store) which serve a very different purpose.
On a side note, blackthorn hedges are thought to be favorite haunts of fairy-folk.
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