Shillelagh / Walking Stick

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Overview

Irish Blackthorn wooden walking stick, known as a Shillelagh.It is a stout knotty stick with a large knob at the top and is tan and black in colour.

Historical information

The shillelagh walking stick is made from the wood of the Blackthorn, a type of oak tree, which is found in Ireland and has been prized for centuries as a material for premium walking sticks for many European gentlemen. The original Blackthorn sticks were 2 to 4 foot high and known as the national weapon of rural Ireland. During the final occupation of Ireland, the Britsh outlawed it, so the Irish turned the shillelagh into a 3 foot walking stick.The British didn't want to appear unreasonable and ban the walking stick, so the Irish kept their modified shillelaghs.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-124-2019.168

Item type

Objects

Weight

200 g

Contextual Information

This Shillelagh was given to Joseph Kempton (donors father) who "minded" for the old drover Jim O'Connell when he was sent to Perth for medical treatment. O'Connell had emigrated from Ireland as a lad and his father, a Dublin Policeman, had given him the Shillelagh to "protect him from the wild savages". O'Connell died in hospital and no relatives could be traced. When Mr Kempton knew old Jim was dying he gave the stick to Mrs Shannon in case some of Jim's people sent for it one day. However Mrs Shannon, on a visit to Busselton, was so impressed by the Museum in Prospect Villa that she decided that it would be a safe place for old Jim's Treasure

Statement of significance

Aesthetic:extremely
Historic:Used as a weapon, by the Irish, to settle disputes.The Shillelagh came to be regarded as a stereotypical symbol of Irishness in popular culture
Social:
Representativeness:
Rarity:Blackthorn wood is always in short supply because it is very difficult to harvest and has to be dried for almost a year before being used to make a walking stick.very rare .The sticks are highly sort.
Condition:

Primary significance criteria

Artistic or aesthetic significance

Historic significance

Social or spiritual significance

Related Objects

Parent records

CABINET 1.6.1 The Taylor Cabinet

Busselton Historical Society

Organisation Details
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