A traditional Irish martial art, bataireacht is a form of stickfighting that was commonly used in gang fights and popularised by Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-nominated film The Gangs of New York.

History and Philosophy

Bataireacht, or bata, is traditionally found in Ireland and involves the use of sticks as weapons. The weapon used - the bata - is actually a walking stick.

Irish stick fighting originated sometime in the 17th century when the Irish were banned from carrying or using formal weapons. Because of the restriction, the innocent and humble walking stick – also called a shillelagh – came into use as a weapon. Irish stick fighting was sometimes known as Uisce Beatha Bata Rince – Gaelic for Irish Whiskey Dance – in order to disguise it as a form of dance.

From the 18th century, stick fighting became an integral part of Irish culture. The Irish used stick fights to settle disputes, wedding and funeral brawls, and especially in faction fights. These stick-fighting matches usually occurred at fairs and Patron Days, and involved two opposing gangs or “factions”. Despite strict rules governing stick fighting, fatalities often occurred.

Over time, however, stick fighting declined in popularity and was eventually banned.

Bataireacht Training and Styles

Irish stick fighting styles were more like unorthodox methods of fighting as opposed to a formal martial art with set, distinctive patterns. As bataireacht skills were usually passed down from father to son, training methods and styles varied greatly.