For centuries the Irish have been associated with a stick weapon called the Shillelagh. And for generations of Irishmen, the Shillelagh was a badge of honor - a symbol of their courage, their martial... More > prowess and their willingness to fight for their rights and their honor. In modern popular culture, the Shillelagh has acquired a less appealing image, one that attempts to declaw the Irish through negative racial stereotypes of the Victorian era, which depict the Irish as harmless club-weilding Leprecauns or drunken, half-witted brawlers. John Hurley's illuminating study forever alters our view of this much maligned and misunderstood cultural icon by revealing the true martial arts culture of the Irish people, its history, evolution and decline and the resulting effects on the Shillelagh - the most powerful and controversial of Irish icons.< Less
"Druids, Bards, Satirists And Enchanters In Early Irish Literature", is a fascinating study into the nature of Irish Druids and Druidism as expressed in the various classes of Fílidh... More > or Poets who comprised the Druidic system.< Less
This dictionary contains all the terms necessary to help anyone practising Irish martial arts use the right Irish language terminology. With chapters on Archery, Boxing, Fencing, Judo and Wrestling,... More > this book covers most modern martial arts and enables practitioners to access the language without being experts in it.< Less
"Defensive Exercises" is an abridged reprint of the manual published in 1840 by Donald Walker. It offers instruction in various forms of wrestling, boxing and stick-fighting then current in... More > Ireland and Britain, and is a precious resource for those interested in Irish martial arts.< Less
This book examines the Irish Republican definition of human freedom and Just War. It is a series of meditations on human freedom - what it is, what forms it takes and what rights every human and... More > nation has both to freedom and to the defense of their freedoms. Terence MacSwiney was Lord Mayor of Cork City and a leader in the Irish Republican Army during the Irish War For Independence. Imprisoned by the British, he died on Hunger Strike.< Less
For centuries the Irish have been associated with a stick weapon called the Shillelagh. And for generations of Irishmen, the Shillelagh was a badge of honor - a symbol of their courage, their martial... More > prowess and their willingness to fight for their rights and their honor. In modern popular culture, the Shillelagh has acquired a less appealing image, one that attempts to declaw the Irish through negative racial stereotypes of the Victorian era, which depict the Irish as harmless club-weilding Leprecauns or drunken, half-witted brawlers. John Hurley’s illuminating study forever alters our view of this much maligned and misunderstood cultural icon by revealing the true martial arts culture of the Irish people, its history, evolution and decline and the resulting effects on the Shillelagh - the most powerful and controversial of Irish icons.< Less
"The Shillelagh Makers Handbook" instructs the reader in the basic traditions and skills of the craft of shillelagh making. Readers will learn how to craft their own shillelaghs, for use as... More > walking or fighting sticks.< Less
"Irish Gangs And Stick-Fighting" is a collection of stories written in the 19th century by the Irish author and martial artist William Carleton. In addition to the tales, John W. Hurley has... More > added 300 endnotes to explain the 19th century stick-fighters Irish slang and historical aspects of the tales.< Less
John W. Hurley is considered the world's foremost authority on the history, traditions and culture of traditional Irish martial arts, having researched them for over twenty years. He is also a practitioner of Irish stick/shillelagh-fighting, in both it's researched form and under the instruction of Glen Doyle of Newfoundland, Canada. Mr. Doyle is the only person on earth currently teaching a living, hereditary style of Irish stick-fighting which has survived since atleast the early 19th century. Hurley is a regular consultant to the media on the subject of Irish stick-fighting and martial arts. For queries he can be reached at: info@johnwhurley.com
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