OUR IRISH STICK STUDY GROUP
Our school is an official member of the Whiskey Stick Faction, led by Doyle instructors John Borter and Trish Chiovari. Our Doyle Irish Stick Fighting study group meets every Tuesday from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM, covering various elements of the system, including stance, footwork, and stickwork. The group is currently headed by Ludus Ferocia instructor Thomas Catron, a level 2 practitioner of Doyle Irish Stick. This study group welcomes both experienced and beginner practitioners of Irish stick fighting.
Feel free to reach out about our classes at any time if you have questions! Visit our GEAR GUIDE page to see what equipment you need to get started!
Tuesdays at 6PM-6:30PM
GALLERY
THE SHILLELAGH - THE IRISH STICK
HISTORY OF IRISH STICK FIGHTING
The Irish have used sticks and cudgels for self-defense for centuries, with the art of bataireacht possibly dating back to the Bronze Age, when metal was scarce but sticks were readily available. The shillelagh, a similar weapon, appears in ancient heroic tales like "The Destruction of Da Derga's Hostel" and gained attention in the 18th century. By that time, bataireacht was closely associated with Irish gangs or "factions," which engaged in large melees at social events like county fairs, weddings, and funerals. This culture of recreational violence, as described by historians such as Carolyn Conley, had significant class and political overtones, depicted in the works of William Carleton and James S. Donnelly Jr. By the early 19th century, these factions had evolved into larger regional federations, such as the Caravat and Shanavest, whose sporadic conflicts caused serious disturbances. As faction fights were increasingly repressed and other sports like hurling gained popularity, bataireacht gradually declined by the turn of the 20th century. Today, it survives mainly through a few families who have preserved their unique styles, keeping the tradition alive.
THE DOYLE STYLE: DANCE OF THE WHISKEY STICK
Doyle Irish Stick Fighting, also known as Rince an Bata Uisce Bheatha or the Dance of the Whiskey Stick, is a highly effective two-handed combat system developed over 200 years ago by the Doyle family in Ireland. This differentiates from other Irish stick fighting systems in that the fighter uses the stick more like a boxer would, allowing for full-coverage of the body and swift strikes from either end of the stick. Originating from a Doyle pugilist who adapted his boxing skills to traditional stick fighting, the system evolved from a one-handed style to a more aggressive two-handed close-quarters technique.
Passed down through generations, Maurice Doyle brought the system to Newfoundland in the early 1800s, where it continued to be refined and preserved by the Doyle family. In 1998, Glen Doyle received permission from his father, Gregory Doyle, to teach the system outside the family, ensuring its preservation. The name 'Dance of the Whiskey Stick' was used to discreetly refer to their training. Currently, the entire system is overseen by its chieftain, Bernie Leddy in Ireland. For more details on the Doyle system, visit Doyle Family System.