Are You Ready to Learn a Unique Martial Art? And Have an Absolute Blast Doing it?
Enter the captivating world of the Legendary Irish Blackthorn Shillelagh, an ancient and iconic symbol of Irish heritage and a weapon steeped in centuries of history. With its origins dating back to ancient Celtic times and Irish Faction Fights, the Shillelagh has become an enduring symbol of Irish resilience, strength, and cultural identity.
Step into Irish Stick Fighting – a martial tradition centered on the legendary Blackthorn Shillelagh. More than an icon of Irish heritage, the shillelagh is a highly adaptable and brutally efficient self-defense tool with roots stretching from Celtic history to Irish Faction Fights. Today, its self defensive applications remain as practical and powerful as ever.
At Combat Shillelagh, we bring a one-of-a-kind martial art directly to you through a modern distance-learning platform designed for maximum effectiveness. Whether you’re seeking traditional stick and blade methods or a refined, combatives-focused approach, our program delivers the only comprehensive Irish Stick Fighting system available online—crafted from over 37 years of high-level training in staff, blade, and empty-hand martial concepts
Our mission is simple: Make Irish Stick Fighting accessible to everyone, no matter where you live. Our expertly structured video lessons, progressive curriculum, and immersive online training environment ensure genuine skill development—not just passive viewing. You get clear instruction, real feedback opportunities, and a learning experience proven to work for students of all levels worldwide.
Experience the world’s most comprehensive Irish Stick Fighting system— expertly modernized, and delivered with the power and convenience of true distance learning.
Take Advantage of our Introductory Discounts
Combat Shillelagh: Ancient Weapon, Modern Times
Whether you want to delve deep into Shillelagh Irish Stick Fighting as an entire weapons system all on it’s own, or you want to add to your existing studies to round out your skills, then THIS is the system for you.
Not found anywhere else, you get access to an incredibly rich amount of learning material provided both online in a Distance Learning Model as well as face to face in hands-on seminars and events.
There are multiple levels of material and certification all the way from Green Belt, Brown Belt, Black Belt up to and including Assistant Instructor, Certified Instructor and Master Levels.
My name is Brent Earlewine. I am the Founder and Lead Instructor for the Combat Shillelagh Irish Stick Fighting System. I am glad you are here!
There is nothing I love more than the prospect of helping someone start their own personal journey into the awesome world of Martial Arts just like I did 37 years ago. Is the next one YOU?
All those years ago, I never imagined I would get this far. My original goal of becoming a Black Belt seemed light years away and I felt like I would never get there, much less getting to Master Level in multiple martial arts.
But I persevered. I ground out the hard work. I invested time, money, blood, sweat and tears. I traveled around the world to train with master instructors. Then I did it again. And again. And again. And again. (I am STILL doing it!) And I did it while managing a full-time career and raising a family (4 crazy kids!).
Amazing! The experiences the journey has given me, and all of the incredible people I have met along the way.
Life gets in the way. Another business trip. Schedule conflicts. Kid’s sporting events, practices and summer camps. I get it. I know, because I’ve been there. There was always something that gets in the way of chasing your dream if you let it. But if I did it, so can you! It’s hard to find the time. I’ve lived it. And that is EXACTLY why we designed our program as a Distance Learning Course.
Available 24 x 7, Anywhere, Anytime.
The Modern Age has seen the rise of Remote Learning Models. It is how people all over the world gain news skills and learn new concepts. And when we launched our Irish Stick Fighting System several years ago, we built it from the ground up to take full advantage of technological advances in remote content delivery and learning methodologies.
At its heart, our Learning System is all about helping YOU Study and Learn an incredibly effective & unique self-defense martial art no matter where in the world you may happen to be.
A Complete System from beginner all the Way Up to Master Level
We spent 4 intensive years codifying the study material, the lesson structure and rank requirements of the Combat Shillelagh System. This means that you, the student gets access to a WEALTH of study material that is well thought out and designed to instill the critical defensive skills of utilizing a Shillelagh. Our program is comprised of study Levels from beginner all the way up to Master (Green Belt, Brown Belt, Black Belt, Assistant Instructor, Instructor and Master Levels). This gives you a clear path so you can take this as far as you want to go!
Based upon 37+ Years of Dedicated Training in Staff and Blade Martial Arts
The Combat Shillelagh system was created based upon 37 years+ of dedicated staff, stick and edged weapons training studies. All of that incredible experience is now embedded into the heart of the Martial Art of Shillelagh Irish Stick Fighting. Combat Shillelagh is a modern-day application of Irish Stick Fighting focused on the ancient weapon of Ireland, the legendary Blackthorn Shillelagh.
You are Supported by a Cadre of Instructors All Along the Way
We want you to be successful in your journey to Blackbelt. Our cadre of Instructors are here to help you all along the way. From tips and tricks on how to maximize your training, to feedback and Skills Audits, as well as a constructive Rank Testing Process. You are never on your own. We also offer remote video testing for Level I and Level II as an option. Our Instructors have over 100 YEARS of cumulative experience in stick and blade martial arts. NOBODY offers you the depth of experience for learning modern day Irish Stick Fighting like we do at Combat Shillelagh.
Hybrid Learning Model – Exclusive Access to Online Learning AND Live, In-Person Events
We designed our system to offer the best of both worlds: Distance Learning and Live Instruction. As a hybrid learning model, you not only get the benefit of training remotely at your own pace and in your own location, but you ALSO get exclusive access to our live events as well. This maximizes your opportunity to learn & grow. It also provides flexible choices on how you want to study and train. And if you can’t make it to our live events, we record them and then make the videos available to our Black Belt Bundle Students as an added bonus!
Flexible Training Packages Designed to Meet Your Needs
Whether you want to start with the Green Belt Introduction Bundle, or the Black Belt Monthly Subscription Option, or you are ready to go all in on the one-time Black Belt Bundle package purchase, we have options that fit your training needs and budget. Our packages are offered in modular options as well, so you can grow as you go.
What our Students have to say about us...
Will C. – PA
“Dedicated instructors who continuously share their wealth of experience. Not only are they experts in martial arts and self defense, they are adept at teaching and transmitting that information to you in an organized manner. A rare combination!”
Alex A. – NY
“Wonderful environment for learning. Practical lessons delivered in an incredible distance learning format.”
Rich C – NJ
“The program has been a blast! The material is very well structured, and the ability to access it any time I want has made it very convenient for training and learning.”
Angus T. – Australia
“I have been looking for something unique in a martial art, and I found it with Combat Shillelagh! The approach is very well put together, and there is a TON of study material to work with. I chose the Black Belt Bundle. It was the easy button!”
John C. – CA
“I wasn’t sure at first. So I purchased the Green Belt Bundle Introductory package. Man oh man, once I got into the program, I was amazed at the depth of the instruction offered. The instructors have been very helpful all along the way. Now I am ready to move up to the next level.”
Henry M. – TX
“These guys have been a one stop shop. Not only do they offer a great Irish Stick Fighting study program, but they offer training items that help you take full advantage of your training. Everything has been first class quality. These guys are doing it right.”
David B. – NC
“Two thumbs up! I purchased the Black Belt Bundle when it first launched, and over time, they have been there every step of the way. I can reach out to their instructors whenever I have a question, or if I am stuck on a concept. The quick responses and access to the top guys in the system has been very beneficial in my studies.”
Jim A. – MI
“Best Decision I have made in a long time. The quality of the material and instructions is top notch. I should have pulled the trigger earlier.”
Ed W. – Ontario, CA
“Training with the Shillelagh is simply badass!”
Tim D. – Germany
“Definitely high marks from me, I’m impressed! Thanks for being so good with communication, it’s a rare thing these days.”
Nick C – OH
“How much fun can one guy take? The Combat Shillelagh program has been an absolute blast!”
Patrick F. – MA
“Had a chance to go to one of their in-person seminars. The day was jam packed. My brain was melting by the end of the day!”
I Am Ready to Grant You Your Blackbelt.
Are You Ready to EARN It?
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