Tell me more ×
Martial Arts Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for students and teachers of all martial arts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 8 down vote favorite
4

Several Irish weapons-based martial arts were recently brought to my attention (through the writings of John Hurley):

  • Scianóireacht - knife arts
  • Tuadóireacht - various forms of axe-fighting
  • Corránóireacht - sickle fighting
  • Spealadóireacht - scythe fighting
  • Súisteáil - flail fighting

I'm somewhat familiar with the more common shillelagh style (aka Irish stick fighting), but these others are unknown to me. A survey of medieval fighting style resources and other sources familiar to me came up empty. Are there any reliable sources of information (manuals, transcriptions of oral traditions or living practitioners) on any of these old, weapons-based Irish martial arts?

share|improve this question
Just a suggestion but I found some good stuff on the site below. Maybe try your question there? If you're successful would you mind updating your post? thearma.org You might also try theclann.co.uk – Wudang Feb 20 at 19:47
And a friend pointed me to myarmoury.com/search – Wudang Feb 20 at 19:56
OK so I'm getting interested now paganachd.com/articles/celticmartialarts.html – Wudang Feb 20 at 20:02
This guy here (subject-control-and-combative-systems.com/…) seems to be practicing and teaching some celtic martial arts that were passed down throughout his family's history. Might be interesting to contact him. – Dungarth Feb 22 at 23:29
My problem is this: John Hurley doesn't provide evidence for the existence of a codified system. It seems more likely that "Scianóreacht" for instance refers to the use of or skills with a knife in general, rather than a particular set of techniques, which likely existed in a less unified, familial training sort of form, much the way many european traditions were passed. In the 19th c. traditional weapons were banned, and the shillelagh became a popular replacement – after all, how do you ban tree branches? – stslavik May 2 at 17:37

Know someone who can answer? Share a link to this question via email, Google+, Twitter, or Facebook.

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.