A Shillelagh is essentially a club fitted with a leather wrist strap (not a true national symbol of Ireland but close). It is typically made out of the wood from the blackthorn bush (light but very stout). The name and club may have originated in the village of Shillelagh in County Wicklow but no one knows for sure. It was used in the 19th century in traditional Irish stick fighting (called Bataireacht). The Shillelagh with its large knob head is useful for self-defense as well.
On a side note, blackthorn hedges, which are almost impenetrable, are thought to be favorite haunts of fairy-folk.
