To keep the wood from splitting during the drying process, sticks were often buried in a manure pile, or smeared with butter and placed in the chimney to cure.įolklorist Padraic Colum says the shillelagh should not be considered a symbol of Ireland but a badge of honour for those who carried it. The bark is left on for added toughness and often a metal ferrule is secured at the end opposite of the knob. However, in sticks made of blackthorn, the knob was actually the root and it would not have been necessary to ‘load’ it because it could pack a significant whack! Sometimes, the knob on the end was hollowed out and filled with molten lead this was known as a ‘loaded stick’. Eventually, it became synonymous for any Irish walking stick. In his wonderful book on Irish folklore, Padraic Colum quotes John Banim in this description of a mansion from his novel ‘The Croppy’: “solidly wainscoted with Shillelagh oak against which (as is said of the woodwork of Westminster Hall, also reputed Irish) the venomous spider of England durst not affix his web.”Ĭuriously, it was from the pen of an English writer who, on seeing an oak cane and knowing where it came from, coined the term Shillelagh. Sadly, most of them were cut down and exported and, when you see how few trees remain in Ireland, there’s little comfort in knowing that many famous buildings in Western Europe were built with Irish imported oak. The forest was once famous for its massive stands of fine oaks. Known by many names, including ‘bata’ in Gaelic – which means, fighting stick – the original cane gets its name from the Shillelagh Forest in County Wicklow. Their weapon of choice would have been a cane made from oak, blackthorn, ash or holly. Very handy to have – but not something the Irish would have used at that time, or earlier. What I have mistakenly called a shillelagh all these years was once a very popular weapon in 19th-century London. In his very informative book, ‘ Things Irish’, Anthony Bluett writes that according to a leading folklore authority, the short, stubby blackthorn cudgel sold to tourists as the ‘ancient Irish shillelagh’ has no tradition in Ireland at all. In the spirit of the upcoming holiday we are pleased to share with you this fun and informative article “Is Your Shillelagh a Sham?' In it, Bridget Haggerty separates facts from fiction with regards to these famed Irish symbols.

luh) or two during a visit to the Emerald Isle.īut is the knobby club a legitimate Irish weapon, or is it a load of blarney?.

Decorating the walls are street signs named after developers of the game.Many Canes Galore followers are world travelers and souvenir connoisseurs, and some of you may have even picked up a Shillelagh (pronounced shuh.

Oleg and Josh are inside the Broken Shillelagh when the Earth is destroyed.

The sign on the wall incorrectly mentions Steelport as Bridgeport as Bridgeport was Steelport's name during development of the game.Civilians may perform various actions inside, including vomiting and using the jukebox or pinball machine.The street signs on the walls change between Saints Row: The Third and Saints Row IV.Saints Row 3, featuring a Saints Row-styled 'Saints Row 3' logo, and discarded concept art.Zombie Uprising 2, the sequel to Zombie Uprising.This bar is one of few places where the door is always open and the interior is always accessible.Viola argues against meeting at the place, claiming ' sports bars aren't thing'.

Pierce likes this bar because of the cheap beer and homely customers.There is a large patio in front of the bar, and the interior features two pool tables, a few video games, some tables, and a long wooden bar. The sign for the Broken Shillelagh is a neon sign with rough lettering. In Saints Row IV, the Broken Shillelagh is where the portal to other character's simulations appears, such as Matt Miller's, Shaundi's, Benjamin King's, Pierce's and Asha Odekar's. It's also where the Saints hold the wake for fallen homies after killing Killbane. It is frequently used by Pierce to meet and discuss plans.

The Broken Shillelagh is a small bar located in the Loren Square Neighborhood of the Downtown District of Steelport.