Trivia Information on Modern usage

In modern usage, the shillelagh is recognized (particularly in an Irish-American context) as a symbol of Irishness. For example, the NCOs of the Fighting 69th regiment of the United States Army National Guard carry shillelaghs as rank badges in parades. The Boston Celtics logo has a leprechaun leaning on his shillelagh. In San Diego, Padres broadcaster Mark Grant popularized the shillelagh as a rally call, by using terms like "Shillelagh Power" to describe late game heroics by the Padres. (The success of the phrase led the San Diego Padres store to carry inflatable shillelaghs). Similarly, in college football, a Jeweled Shillelagh is the trophy given to the winner of the rivalry game between the USC Trojans and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Shillelaghs are sometimes referred to in a similar context in folk songs, such as in "Finnegan's Wake," in which the term "shillelagh law" refers to a brawl, and in the 19th century song "Rocky Road to Dublin," in which references are made to fashioning a shillelagh, using it to hold a tied bag over one's shoulder, and using it as a striking weapon. The MGM-51 Shillelagh anti-tank missile was named for the club.  Officers of the Irish Guards are issued with Shillelaghs as were past Irish Regiments of the British Army, such as the Inniskillen Dragoons and fusiliers. In baseball, the term "Swing the Shillelagh" is used to tell a batter to be more aggressive and just swing the bat. It is usually used in a humorous tone.  Finlay, a professional wrestler from Northern Ireland who wrestled in America with a the gimmick of a brawling Irishman, used a shillelagh as his signature weapon.