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The Connacht: US$99
The Connacht is a variation of the crook, a stick that once
was very much
a working tool used by shepherds, but
has now gone
on to become a much more embellished
product. It is believed that the typical nose-out
pattern once
facilitated the hanging of a lantern
which freed the
hands of a shepherd to tend to the
needs of a ewe.
The key to any good crook lies in its
strength. The
Connacht is fashioned from a choice rod of hazel.
The handle is painstakingly produced from premium
buffalo horn. I don't have room here to go into
production details - this is a process that takes many
hours. The two pieces are welded together and
reinforced with 5mm (1/5 inch) steel rod. This stick
is a decorative piece that makes an ideal gift or
collectible but I would never pretend that it will
stop a charging Galway ram!
View Actual Size
Crook Height: 48 - 53 inches
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