Galloglass, from the Gaelic gall_glaigh for 'young foreign warriors',
were mercenaries from the Western Isles of Scotland who fought in the
retinues of Irish magnates from the mid-13th century until the early
17th century. Without question, galloglass are among the most visually
impressive warriors of all time: they were sketched by Albrecht D_rer,
were mentioned by Shakespeare, and were discussed with awe and amazement
in the correspondence of all the leading Elizabethan soldiers who served
in Ireland. Thousands fought in Ireland, and yet so far there has been
only one detailed account of the galloglass, and this work concentrates
on the clan and family structures of the galloglass, and not their
experience as warriors. This book provides the first detailed military
history of these fearsome warriors.