‘Old’ Labour stick from Irish

An unusual memento of Irish support for the British Labour Party has turned up at auction in England.

A “presentation shillelagh”, inscribed “To E. Bevin. As a token of love, esteem and affection from the Irish members 1934” is to go under the hammer at Wooley & Wallis Auctioneers, in Salisbury, Wiltshire on Wednesday (October 7th).

The estimate is £500-£700. The shillelagh (walking stick), Lot 574, is described as “shaped from oak or blackthorn, with carved relief decoration ‘From the green isle’ a harp, ‘Begorra’ and two shamrocks” and the inscription on the silver plaque states that the gift was “from Irish Trades Union Members, 1934”.

Ernest Bevin (1881-1951) was a leading British 20th century trade unionist and Labour Party politician – a founder and leader of the Transport & General Workers Union; Minister of Labour in Churchill's coalition War Cabinet; and he became Foreign Secretary in the post-War Labour government.