Open Hand Traditions
Open hand traditions means unarmed martial arts like boxing, wrestling and so on. There is little strong evidence for surviving unarmed styles of Gaelic martial arts, since for most of history up until the early modern period everyone was armed with short swords at a minimum (also why there are no medieval European unarmed styles).
However we do know that the Gaels were expert wrestlers from time immemorial, with wrestling competitions at every festival, funeral and gathering, so they probably used something similar to Greek-style wrestling. Wrestling is one of the first combat techniques that should be mastered, if possible, since it influences body mechanics and can be the last resort in any conflict.
The only surviving Irish wrestling style is called collar and elbow wrestling, practised until the early 20th century and only recently enjoying a restoration. It was not strictly a martial art, being more of a sport—although it may have been derived from a more combative style—but is thoroughly enjoyable.
However that doesn’t mean that we, as a living culture, can’t adapt and improve upon existing martial traditions and make them our own.
After all, the majority of Japanese martial arts methods were brought to Japan primarily by the Chinese, and the Romans adopted unarmed or minimally armed Greek combat sports, spelled pancratium in Latin, into their Games. More recently, Israeli Krav Maga has its roots in European boxing and wrestling, and Russian Sambo originated with folk wrestling and Japanese Judo.
Conor McGregor is a good example of a successful Irish martial artist who has merged several styles of martial art into one very effective core system—based largely on boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling and Taekwondo. He also borrows liberally from other styles to round out and improve particular attack combinations.
As interest in these arts develops, it is reasonable to expect that a distinctive Irish martial art will emerge and stand on the world stage. For now we can recommend a few types of martial art to become at least passingly familiar with. A little of each goes a long way.
Boxing
Otherwise known as the sweet science, boxing forms a good foundation for unarmed martial arts. It teaches striking, evasion, footwork, and many more useful skills. It also has a huge following in Ireland so there are a multitude of gyms where you can go to get some training and practise in.
Here’s a good introduction video to get you started: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKDHdsVN0b8 Nineteenth century pugilism can add a certain authenticity too.
Kickboxing
Although it teaches a wide variety of strikes, kickboxing is most effective at kicking. It, like boxing, is quite popular in Ireland, so it should be fairly simple to find a coach to get started. Particular attention should also be paid to its use of elbows: https://www.instagram.com/niinacarita/reel/C5hVdZhvBee/
Wrestling
Besides collar and elbow, Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu provide fundamentally important skills in unarmed martial arts.
Chapter List (click to read):
1. Foreword
2 The Irish Language
3. Reading
4. Making and Shaping
5. The Physical Gael
6. The Warrior Gael
- The Crios Belt
- Open Hand Traditions
- Collar and Elbow Wrestling
- Gaelic Weapons
- Seanbhata
- Seanbhata Basics
- Seanbhata Guards
- Seanbhata Strikes and Blocks
- Seanbhata Close Fighting
- The Heroic Feats
7. Tradition and Culture
8. Organisation
The project will follow in their footsteps along the path laid down by Hyde, O'Conaire, MacNeill, Cusack and many others through sharing news, ideas, articles of Irish cultural interest and more, as well as helping to support Irish language and cultural initiatives. You can find out more about An Claíomh Solais by clicking on the buttons below, or join our team as we begin the great Gaelic restoration!
You don't get to betray us and smile
You don’t get to lecture us on our blood and our past,
Famine headstones paving a road any can pass.
Our villages hollow, our young forced to flee,
While newcomers are housed and our people come last —
that’s your “compassionate” decree.
We remember the coffin ships, the millions who died,
Under cold British rules and indifferent pride.
That horror was on us by foreign command —
Not a blank cheque for every stranger to claim our land.
We emigrated through hardship, built lives far a
Read more...
Ode to John Devoy, a Forgotten Hero
A forgotten hero it has been said
Was born in Kill at a time many tears in this country were shed
Just before the Great Hunger this child did arrive
And lucky for us Irish he was one who would survive
An immense gra for Irish freedom he held in his heart
And it was when he was young that he first made a start
In his quest to release us Irish from beneath British rule
He was beaten for not singing “God Save the Queen” in his school
Involved in three wars he was one of a few
To take part in all conflicts and see
Read more...
An Interview with Patrick Quinlan from the National Party
Welcome to another in our series of interviews with prominent figures and rising stars in contemporary Irish nationalism!
Today we're talking to Patrick Quinlan from the National Party, a rapidly growing and influential political organisation in Ireland, one of the few if not the only such group with actual elected representatives. Read on to learn about engaging with the system, winning hearts and minds, and the political future for Irish nationalism!
Perhaps you could tell us a little bit about yourself to begin with?
I'm Patrick Quin
Read more...
An interview with Rob Carry
Good afternoon! As part of our ongoing series on rising nationalist stars and voices in Ireland, we're delighted to be able to introduce local community activist, businessman and politician, Rob Carry!
We've been talking about his amazing work for and with his community, as well as his aspirations and plans for the future.
ACS: Can you tell us a little about yourself, your background, and where you're coming from?
RC: Sure. So I’m a small business owner (I run a commercial gym, a martial arts club
Read more...
An Interview with Gavin from Offgrid Ireland
Good morning and welcome to another in our series of interviews with prominent figures and rising stars in modern Irish nationalism!
Today we're talking to Gavin from a prominent and influential online discussion group, the X SPACES Éire Community. This very active group has at one time or another hosted many well-known nationalist names and continues to grow in both size and influence.
ACS: Can you share with our readers some of your background and a little about who you are?
OI: I am an Offaly man, born and bred, now in my la
Read more...
A New Voice For Ireland
We are pleased to introduce a new rising star among Irish nationalists - although she needs no introduction for many of you who have attended Irish Ireland protests recently - Ciara Ní Mhainnín! Her uncompromising voice offers a clear challenge to the establishment and a great example for us all to follow.
Ciara very kindly took the time to join us in an online interview, which we are delighted to publish here.
ACS: What made you decide to get involved with the Irish Ireland cause, was there one particular event or was it more of a process?
Read more...
Recent News
Name Galway's New Pedestrian Bridge in Honour of 1916 Hero Julia Morrissey
An Athenry native, Julia Morrissey, was a key figure in Cumann na mBan's Galway branch. In 1916, she commanded a group of 50 women during Easter week, as part of the rebellion in Galway that was led by Liam Mellows. When Mellows first came to Athenry in 1915, Mor... [more]
Human activity discovered in Ireland 33000 years ago
A REINDEER BONE fragment uncovered in a cave contains a revelation set to dramatically alter the understanding of Irish human history. The bone fragment was found at Castlepook Cave near Doneraile in north Cork where a mammoth bone was discovered in 1972. T... [more]
Wolfe Tones announce anniversary gig
After breaking records at Electric Picnic over the weekend, the Wolfe Tones are set to mark six decades of making music with an anniversary gig in Dublin next year. The Wolfe Tones drew the largest crowd to date to the festival’s Electric Arena on Sunday as a s... [more]
RIA culture night 2023
Come and join us on Culture Night 2023, we will have lots of cultural activities for all ages! Explore the Royal Irish Academy - a hidden Georgian gem tucked away on Dawson Street. View the earliest example of Irish writing - the 6th century Cathach, have a go at som... [more]
More than one million people are actively learning Irish
More than one million people are actively learning Irish on Duolingo according to data from the language app. A recent report (June 2021) listed Irish as the 16th most popular language to learn on the app, with 1.10 million users actively learning the language. ... [more]
United Ireland poll
Linda Ervine places herself in the “don’t know” group when it comes to a united Ireland, saying: “I’m one of those people that will have to be convinced.” Almost one in five voters in Northern Ireland are in the same category, acco... [more]
