Irish Collar and Elbow Wrestling - Irish Wrestling (EN)

The Collar and Elbow was the national Irish wrestling style, practiced on three continents in the 19th century by some of the best athletes of the time. Fighters would firmly grasp the opponent's jacket to engage in quick "footsparring" duels, aiming to throw the opponent to the ground with hooks, sweeps, or kicks. From Irish village circles to sold-out American arenas, this style enjoyed resounding success before almost completely disappearing at the beginning of the 20th century.

Ruadhán MacFadden, a cultural anthropologist and member of the UNESCO ICM special advisory group representing Collar and Elbow, explores the history, techniques, strategies, and sporting context of this style. The work examines the social and political factors (Great Famine, repressions, competition from other grappling styles) that led to its rapid decline.

With over a decade of experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the author questions: could the modern resurgence of interest in grappling sports allow for a revival of "the Irish method"? A rigorous documentary work in service of a forgotten martial heritage.

About the Author:

Ruadhán MacFadden is an independent researcher in cultural anthropology, specializing in the history of traditional wrestling styles worldwide. A member of the UNESCO ICM advisory group for Collar and Elbow, he has over 10 years of experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has taught grappling in more than a dozen countries.