The term Galloglas (or "Gallowglass") is an Anglicisation of the Irish, Gallóglaigh ("foreign soldiers"), incorporating the word, Óglach, which is derived from oac, the Old Irish for "youths", but later meaning "soldier". Anglicisation (CwE) or Anglicization (NAE) is a process of making something English. ... Old Irish is the name given to the oldest form of the Irish language which can be more or less fully reconstructed from extant sources. ...

The galloglas were a mercenary warrior élite among Gaelic-Norse clans residing in the highlands and Western Isles of Scotland (or, Hebrides) from the mid 13th century to the end of the 16th century. As Scots, their tradition descended from the Irish, but they had intermarried with the 10th century Norse settlers of the islands and coastal areas of Scotland, and the Picts, and so the Irish called them Gall Gaeil ("foreign Gaels"). They were the mainstay of Scottish and Irish warfare before the advent of gunpowder, and depended upon seasonal service with Irish lords. A mercenary is a soldier who fights, or engages in warfare primarily for private gain, usually with little regard for ideological, national or political considerations. ... A warrior is a person habitually engaged in war and/or skilled in the waging of war. ... The Gaels are an ethno-linguistic group in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man, whose language is one that is Gaelic (Goidelic), a division of Insular Celtic languages. ... Norsemen (the Norse) is the indigenous or ancient name for the people of Scandinavia, including (but not limited to) the Vikings. ... The Scottish Highlands are the mountainous regions of Scotland north and west of the Highland Boundary Fault. ... The Western Isles are an archipelago in Scotland. ... Motto: (Latin for No one provokes me with impunity)1 Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official language(s) English, Gaelic, Scots2 Government Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister Tony Blair MP  - First Minister Jack McConnell MSP Unification    - by Kenneth I 843  Area    - Total 78... The Hebrides The Hebrides comprise a widespread and diverse archipelago off the west coast of Scotland, and in geological terms are composed of the oldest rocks in the British Isles. ... (12th century - 13th century - 14th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 10th century was that century which lasted from 901 to 1000. ... The name Viking is a loan from the native Scandinavian term for the Norse seafaring warriors who raided the coasts of Scandinavia, Europe and the British Isles from the late 8th century to the 11th century, the period of European history referred to as the Viking Age. ... A replica of the Hilton of Cadboll Stone. ... Motto: (Latin for No one provokes me with impunity)1 Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official language(s) English, Gaelic, Scots2 Government Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister Tony Blair MP  - First Minister Jack McConnell MSP Unification    - by Kenneth I 843  Area    - Total 78... Smokeless powder Gunpowder, whether black powder or smokeless powder, is a substance that burns very rapidly, releasing gases that act as a propellant in firearms. ...

A military chieftan would often select a gallowglass to serve as his personal aide and bodyguard, because as a foreigner, the galloglas would not be as subject to local feuds and influences.

The first record of galloglas service under the Irish was in 1259, when Prince Aed O'Connor of Connaught received a dowry of 160 Scottish warriors from the daughter of the King of the Hebrides. They were organised into groups known as a "Corrughadh", which consisted of about 100 men. In return for military service, galloglas contingents were given land and settled in Irish lordships, where they were entitled to receive supplies from the local population. By 1512, there were reported to be fifty nine groups throughout the country under the control of the Irish nobility. Though initially they were mercenaries, over time they settled and their ranks became filled with native Irish men. They were noted for wielding the two handed Sparthe axe (a custom noted by Geraldus Cambrensis to have derived from their Norse heritage) and broadsword or claymore ("claíomh mór"). For armour, the galloglas wore chain mail shirts over padded jackets and iron helmets on the head; he was usually accompanied by two boys, one of whom carried his javelins or throwing spears while the other carried his provisions. For broader historical context, see 1250s and 13th century. ... Connaught redirects here. ... 1512 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The axe or ax is an ancient and ubiquitous tool that has been used for millennia to shape, split and cut wood, harvest timber, as a weapon and a ceremonial or heraldic symbol. ... Giraldus Cambrensis (Gerald of Wales) or Gerald De Barri, to give his Norman name, one of the greatest Welsh writers in Latin, was born at Manorbier, Pembrokeshire around 1146. ... A claymore that is a replica of one used in the film Highlander. ... For other uses, see Chainmail (disambiguation). ... Look up Javelin on Wiktionary, the free dictionary Javelin can refer to several things: For the spear-like object,used as a thrown weapon in ancient times see Javelin Ancient For the modern athletic discipline see Javelin throw. ... A Roman coin showing Antoninianus of Carinus holding pilum and globe. ...

The importation of galloglas into Ireland was a major factor in containing the Anglo-Norman invasion of the 12th century, as their ranks stiffened the resistance of the Irish lordships. Throughout the Middle Ages in Ireland, gallowglass troops were maintained by Gaelic Irish and Hiberno-Norman lords alike. Even the English Lord Deputy of Ireland usually kept a company of them in his service. (See Also: Norman Ireland) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... (11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... The term Hiberno-Norman is used of those Norman lords who settled in Ireland, admitting little if any real fealty to the Anglo-Norman settlers in England. ... Official standard of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (also known as the Viceroy or in the Middle Ages as the Lord Deputy) was the head of Englands (pre-1707) or Britains (post 1707) administration in Ireland. ... A tower house near Quin. ...

The 16th century in Ireland saw an escalation in military conflict, caused by the Tudor re-conquest of Ireland. Galloglas fighters were joined by native Irish mercenaries called buanadha (literally "quartered men") and by newer Scottish mercenaries known as "redshanks". The flow of mercenaries into Ireland was such a threat to English occupation that Queen Elizabeth I took steps against them in 1571 - around 700 of them being executed after the first of the Desmond Rebellions. In spite of the increased use of firearms in Irish warfare, galloglas remained an important part of Hugh O'Neill's forces in the Nine Years War (Ireland). After the combined Irish defeat at the Battle of Kinsale in 1601, recruitment of galloglas waned, although Scottish Highland mercenaries continued to come to Ireland until the 1640s (notably Alasdair MacColla). The Tudor re-conquest of Ireland took place under the English Tudor dynasty during the 16th century. ... Elizabeth I Queen of England and Ireland Queen of France, nominal title Elizabeth I (September 7, 1533–March 24, 1603) was Queen of England and Queen of Ireland from November 17, 1558 until her death. ... Events January 11 - Austrian nobility is granted Freedom of religion. ... The Desmond Rebellions occurred in the 1560s, 1570s and 1580s in Munster in southern Ireland. ... Hugh ONeill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone (c. ... The Nine Years War (Irish: Cogadh na Naoi mBliana) in Ireland took place from 1594 to 1603 and is also known as Tyrones Rebellion. ... Siege of Kinsale - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins/monobook/IE50Fixes. ... Events February 8 - Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, rebels against Elizabeth I of England - revolt is quickly crushed February 25 - Robert Devereux beheaded Jesuit Matteo Ricci arrives in China Bad harvest in Russia due to rainy summer Dutch troops drive Portuguese from Málaga Battle of Kinsale, Ireland Births... Events December 1 - Portugal regains its independence from Spain and João IV of Portugal becomes king. ... Alasdair MacColla (circa 1620 to 1647) was a Scottish-Irish soldier. ...

Legacy

Though the Galloglas ceased as a military unit, their family names lived on to this day - often concentrated in areas where their ancestors were settled in the service of Irish lordships. The most common names derived from gallowglass families include:

• MacSuibhne (MacSweeney / MacSwiney)
• MacDómhnaill (MacDonnell)
• MacSíthígh (Sheehy / MacSheehy)
• MacDubhgaill (MacDougall)
• MacCába (MacCabe)
• MacRuairi (MacRory)

Sources

• G.A. Hayes McCoy, Irish Battles, Appletree Press, Belfast 1990
• Colm Lennon, Sixteenth Century Ireland - the Incomplete Conquest, Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 1994.

External links

• An Gall Óglaigh