To the untrained eye, it simply looks like fighting with sticks. But Irish stick fighting dates back to the 16th century.

It’s a blend of techniques between fencing and boxing with the use of a stick known as a shillelagh. John Borter and Trish Smith, a husband-and-wife team, teach students at the Whiskey Stick Faction.

Borter describes it as a simple form of self-defense that anyone of any age can learn. Smith is currently the only known female coach of this form of martial arts.

"In a very little time, you can gain skills and some knowledge and some techniques that you can use if something were to happen," Smith said. "It’s not going to take you 10 years to get to a point where you could use this. You can get in, you can do a few classes, and you'll walk away with something that you can use if you ever, heaven forbid, [have] to defend yourself."

Borter and Smith hope their work inspires the next generation of martial artists who will honor Ireland’s culture and history.