#IrishHeritage on TikTok: @mccaffreycrafts

Francis McCaffrey (@mccaffreycrafts) from Killorglin, Co Kerry, is a 5th Generation Blackthorn walking sticks and shillelaghs maker and uses TikTok to explain the process from raw wood to finished piece. His feed is a must-follow for fans of woodworking, heritage, and handcrafted design. Discover more about his process and passion below.

Q: Where did your interest in Irish heritage and traditional craftsmanship come from?
A: My interest in Irish heritage and traditional craftsmanship is something that’s been passed down through five generations of my family. I grew up surrounded by the scent of blackthorn, the sound of tools shaping wood, and stories of the old ways. My father, and his father before him, instilled in me not just the skills of stick making but a deep respect for the culture and history behind every piece. To us, a blackthorn shillelagh isn't just a walking stick, it’s a symbol of resilience, identity, and a connection to the Irish soul. Continuing this tradition isn’t just a job; it’s a way of keeping our heritage alive.

Q: What inspired you to start sharing your love for Irish crafts on TikTok?
A: To be honest, it started as an experiment. I never thought a traditional craft like blackthorn stick making would find a home on a platform like TikTok, but it did. I realised there’s a global appetite for real, honest craftsmanship and heritage. People are fascinated by the process, the history, and the raw character of each stick. Sharing on TikTok gave me a way to connect with a younger generation and show that Irish culture is still alive and thriving. Plus, it’s a bit of craic showing the behind-the-scenes, from carving to shipping, and seeing people from all over the world fall in love with Irish blackthorn.

Q: For people who might not know — what exactly is a shillelagh, and what was its original purpose in Irish history?
A: A shillelagh is a traditional Irish walking stick, typically made from blackthorn wood. But it’s much more than just a stick, it’s a symbol of Irish pride, heritage, and resilience. Historically, the shillelagh was used not only as a walking aid but also as a weapon for self-defence or in a form of traditional Irish stick-fighting called bataireacht. In times when carrying swords was banned, the shillelagh became the Irishman’s way of staying armed and protected. Over time, it also became a mark of status and identity, passed down through generations. Today, it represents a proud tradition of craftsmanship and culture that’s still alive, especially in my workshop.

Q: How has TikTok expanded your reach to people with an interest in Irish crafts? 
A: TikTok has opened doors I never imagined. Suddenly, a fifth-generation stick maker in rural Ireland can reach millions of people around the world in a few seconds. What used to be a niche interest has found a global audience, from history buffs and collectors to young people discovering their Irish roots. The short videos allow me to show the process, the tools, the wood, and the tradition in a way that feels real and personal. It’s not just marketing, it’s storytelling. And that’s what connects people. I’ve had customers from America, Japan, and even South America message me saying, “I saw your video, and I had to have one.” That reach would’ve been unthinkable a few years ago.

Q: What kind of reactions have you received from younger audiences? How has TikTok helped revive interest in traditional Irish culture
A: The reactions from younger audiences have been amazing, and honestly, a bit surprising at first. I expected curiosity, but I didn’t expect the passion. People message me saying, “I had no idea this was part of Irish history,” or “This makes me proud of my Irish roots.” Some even want to learn how to make their own shillelagh or ask about their ancestry. TikTok has a way of cutting through the noise and showing something raw and real, and that’s what traditional crafts are. It’s helped revive interest in a culture that might have seemed old-fashioned or forgotten. Now it’s being celebrated by a whole new generation, not in textbooks, but through hands-on craft, storytelling, and a bit of Irish humour thrown in.

Q: What more could be done to protect Ireland’s heritage — the skills, stories, and symbols passed down through generations?
A: I think the first step is recognising that heritage isn’t just found in museums, it lives in the hands of craftspeople, in spoken stories, in tools passed from father to son or mother to daughter. We need more support for traditional makers, whether that's through apprenticeships, funding, or simply visibility. Schools could introduce more Irish folklore, crafts, and oral history into the curriculum, not just the big names, but the everyday magic of Irish culture. Platforms like TikTok show there’s an appetite, people want to connect with where they come from but without real investment and respect for these traditions, they risk fading away. We need to make heritage something living and valuable, not just nostalgic.

Q: Do you see your woodwork as part of the bigger picture of preserving Irish culture? A: Without a doubt. Every stick I make carries more than just wood, it carries history, language, resilience, and pride. I see my work as a small but meaningful part of a much larger story. When someone holds a blackthorn shillelagh, they’re holding a piece of Ireland, shaped by hand, rooted in tradition, and connected to generations before us. It’s not just about making walking sticks; it’s about keeping the soul of Irish craftsmanship alive. If my work helps even one person feel more connected to their Irish heritage, then I’ve done something worthwhile.

Q: What do you enjoy most about creating content on TikTok? A: What I enjoy most is the connection. I might be in a quiet workshop in Ireland shaping a piece of blackthorn, but when I post a video, it reaches people all over the world, and they respond! They ask questions, share stories about their Irish grandparents, or just say how relaxing it is to watch the process. It turns a solitary craft into a shared experience. I also enjoy showing the humour and personality behind the sticks, it’s not all serious heritage; there’s plenty of craic too. TikTok gives me a chance to keep the old traditions alive in a modern way, and that’s something I genuinely love doing.