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Irish people used these martial arts both individually and in various combinations of groups. Of those who practised them, some were professional martial artists and fighters, while others were amateur martial artists just trying to survive in an extremely dangerous and violent world. Today a whole series of "Na Healaíonaí an Chogaidh Gall" or "Foreign martial arts", are studied by Irish people such as: Okinawan Karate-Dó, Japanese Bujinkan, Chinese Chuan Fa, Korean Tae Kwan Do, Kickboxing, etc.
Tradition and ancestral heritage plays a central role in all of these martial arts; I feel that this is a good thing, as it encourages martial artists to aspire to the greatness of their family or spiritual ancestors. I feel that the pursuit of any martial art, when done for the right reasons, is a positive and healthy thing. But because of my own personal experiences, I also feel that it is equally important for an individual to seek out and explore his or her own personal or family ancestral traditions of martial arts or "warrior" culture, as this is sometimes an unconscious motivation behind an interest in the martial arts. Exploring my own cultural, ancestral warrior traditions, is an integral part of my spiritual journey as a martial artist, and has allowed me to re-claim aspects of myself, my culture and my heritage. As unlikely as it may sound, from childhood, my goal has been to pursue a personal martial arts path based in the cultural traditions of the "Fighting Irish". Upholding and defending the ideals and heritage of a culture and a civilization, is a central responsibility of the martial artist. But due to the commercialization of many martial arts today, this process is actually often discouraged in areas which are the most empowering. As a result, I have found that pursuing an Irish martial arts path was not something readily encouraged either in Irish culture or by non-Irish martial arts culture.
This is something which I hope to help change.
Irish people used these martial arts both individually and in various combinations of groups. Of those who practised them, some were professional martial artists and fighters, while others were amateur martial artists just trying to survive in an extremely dangerous and violent world. Today a whole series of "Na Healaíonaí an Chogaidh Gall" or "Foreign martial arts", are studied by Irish people such as: Okinawan Karate-Dó, Japanese Bujinkan, Chinese Chuan Fa, Korean Tae Kwan Do, Kickboxing, etc.
Tradition and ancestral heritage plays a central role in all of these martial arts; I feel that this is a good thing, as it encourages martial artists to aspire to the greatness of their family or spiritual ancestors. I feel that the pursuit of any martial art, when done for the right reasons, is a positive and healthy thing. But because of my own personal experiences, I also feel that it is equally important for an individual to seek out and explore his or her own personal or family ancestral traditions of martial arts or "warrior" culture, as this is sometimes an unconscious motivation behind an interest in the martial arts. Exploring my own cultural, ancestral warrior traditions, is an integral part of my spiritual journey as a martial artist, and has allowed me to re-claim aspects of myself, my culture and my heritage. As unlikely as it may sound, from childhood, my goal has been to pursue a personal martial arts path based in the cultural traditions of the "Fighting Irish". Upholding and defending the ideals and heritage of a culture and a civilization, is a central responsibility of the martial artist. But due to the commercialization of many martial arts today, this process is actually often discouraged in areas which are the most empowering. As a result, I have found that pursuing an Irish martial arts path was not something readily encouraged either in Irish culture or by non-Irish martial arts culture.
This is something which I hope to help change.
Hello All,
And welcome to some new list members. Just a quick question - would anyone on the list be interested in helping to form an Irish stickfighting association (meaning traditional Irish stick-fighting, not Asian stick-fighting). The only real point of this would be for the promotion of Irish stick-fighting, Celtic wrestling, etc. through clubs in Ireland and elsewhere - but this could only be done with contact information available on a website. So what I am asking is, is there anyone who is interested and willing to be a public contact for forming local clubs/branchs etc., especially in Ireland? Contact info could consist of just a name and an e-mail address. And prior knowledge or experience in stick-fighting would not be necessary, just a dedication to preserving and promoting Gaelic Irish stick-fighting in the spirit of organizations like the GAA, Comhaltas, etc. If there is enough willingness I will put together a webpage content and submit it to the list for discussion.
Anyways, thanks for listening and take care, John
And welcome to some new list members. Just a quick question - would anyone on the list be interested in helping to form an Irish stickfighting association (meaning traditional Irish stick-fighting, not Asian stick-fighting). The only real point of this would be for the promotion of Irish stick-fighting, Celtic wrestling, etc. through clubs in Ireland and elsewhere - but this could only be done with contact information available on a website. So what I am asking is, is there anyone who is interested and willing to be a public contact for forming local clubs/branchs etc., especially in Ireland? Contact info could consist of just a name and an e-mail address. And prior knowledge or experience in stick-fighting would not be necessary, just a dedication to preserving and promoting Gaelic Irish stick-fighting in the spirit of organizations like the GAA, Comhaltas, etc. If there is enough willingness I will put together a webpage content and submit it to the list for discussion.
Anyways, thanks for listening and take care, John
Hi All,
my name is Puk, I have been a martial artist since childhood. I have Irish ancestry (jamiesons) as well as english and scottish as well...(gunn clan)
I have been dancing with sticks and training my kids in spinning sticks with fire for a couple of years now and chanced across this group.
As i am now in the process of setting up a warrior training camp/dojo in Australia I am interested in all things stick..... (my weapon of choice)
So hello from down under -( a little place called Wallan 60 klms north of Melbourne)
cheers
Puk
my name is Puk, I have been a martial artist since childhood. I have Irish ancestry (jamiesons) as well as english and scottish as well...(gunn clan)
I have been dancing with sticks and training my kids in spinning sticks with fire for a couple of years now and chanced across this group.
As i am now in the process of setting up a warrior training camp/dojo in Australia I am interested in all things stick..... (my weapon of choice)
So hello from down under -( a little place called Wallan 60 klms north of Melbourne)
cheers
Puk